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 newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. He is an ace ________________.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. current — happening now
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. foot — a measure
  6. perch — the fish
  7. hide — animal skin
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. current — electric
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. current — of water
  19. pitcher — in baseball
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. stand — to bear
  24. stand — on your feet

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