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 116 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 giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. trunk — of an elephant
  6. current — of water
  7. mug — to rob
  8. bank — of a river
  9. current — electric
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. current — happening now
  12. bank — for money
  13. stand — to bear
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. mug — a cup
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. mug — a face
  20. trunk — of a tree
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. bank — for money
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. rush — hurry

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