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. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  20. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  21. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — of a river
  2. rock — a stone
  3. lean — to bend
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. key — in music
  6. bore — to tire
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. rock — music
  9. season — of the year
  10. bank — for money
  11. present — there
  12. track — a song
  13. key — for a lock
  14. key — the most important part
  15. season — in sport
  16. lean — to rest against
  17. bore — to drill
  18. bank — for money
  19. lean — thin
  20. present — a gift
  21. present — the time now
  22. track — a path
  23. track — to keep track
  24. bore — gave birth

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