ClueBy
TodayArchiveWord list

Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 120 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
YesNo
↻ New worksheet

Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. track — a song
  3. bound — certain
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. track — to keep track
  8. rock — a stone
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. bound — obliged
  11. rash — hasty
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. bound — tied together
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. rock — music
  17. bass — the fish
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. track — a path
  20. stand — to bear
  21. bass — the instrument
  22. bass — low music
  23. rash — a series
  24. safe — a strongbox

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com