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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. bowl — a football final
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. roll — a list
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. stand — to bear
  14. rock — a stone
  15. stem — to come from
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. rock — music
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. roll — a cake
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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