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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. bound — tied together
  3. dip — a sauce
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. staff — employees
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. bound — certain
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. bound — obliged
  10. staff — employees
  11. staff — a stick
  12. mark — a grade
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. mark — a trace
  16. dip — to sink
  17. bulb — for light
  18. mine — belonging to me
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. mine — for digging
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. bulb — for light

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