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 120 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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. A black ________________ roamed the forest.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. bear — the animal
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. bank — of a river
  5. staff — a stick
  6. pass — a permit
  7. saw — the tool
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. bank — for money
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. bound — obliged
  13. bank — for money
  14. staff — employees
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. staff — employees
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. bound — certain
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. perch — the fish
  22. bound — tied together
  23. saw — the tool
  24. bear — the animal

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