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 116 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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. That was ________________ to happen.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. mug — a face
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. mug — to rob
  6. rash — a series
  7. track — a path
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. bore — to drill
  10. track — to keep track
  11. bound — tied together
  12. bound — certain
  13. bore — to tire
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. rash — hasty
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. kid — child
  20. track — a song
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  23. bound — obliged
  24. kid — to tease

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