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 124 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. My father caught me by the ________________.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. It's one o'clock ________________.
  4. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  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. arm — part of the body
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. sharp — exactly
  4. craft — boats
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. can — to be able to
  12. can — a tin
  13. toast — bread
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. craft — a skill
  17. sharp — with an edge
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. can — a tin
  21. arm — a part of something
  22. sharp — clever
  23. plane — a tool
  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