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 sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. bank — of a river
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. straw — a straw man
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. track — a song
  7. bound — tied together
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. bound — obliged
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. bank — for money
  12. track — to keep track
  13. foot — a measure
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. straw — dry grass
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. track — a path
  19. straw — to clutch at straws
  20. deal — to handle
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. bound — certain
  23. bank — for money
  24. deal — an agreement

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