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 ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. You don't need to ________________ round.
  4. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  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. coach — a trainer
  2. bank — for money
  3. pop — to visit
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. pop — soda
  8. present — there
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. present — a gift
  11. mate — to breed
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. foot — a measure
  14. racket — a loud noise
  15. bank — of a river
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. mate — a partner
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. bank — for money
  20. mate — a friend
  21. present — the time now
  22. pop — music
  23. safe — out of danger
  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