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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  16. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. bank — for money
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. bear — the animal
  6. bank — for money
  7. mark — a grade
  8. band — a music group
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. board — a committee
  11. band — a ring
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. bear — to put up with
  16. band — a rubber band
  17. board — to get on
  18. bear — the animal
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. bank — of a river
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. toast — bread
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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