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. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  2. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  19. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. tube — a container
  2. bear — the animal
  3. staff — employees
  4. bear — the animal
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. stand — to bear
  7. bound — certain
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. staff — employees
  11. staff — a stick
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. bound — tied together
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. bound — obliged
  19. tube — in a tire
  20. tube — the underground
  21. board — to get on
  22. board — a committee
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. bear — to put up with

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