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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. What was your ________________ profit last year?

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. fine — a penalty
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. net — for catching
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. fine — all right
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. saw — the tool
  12. firm — steady
  13. dip — to sink
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. bass — low music
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. fine — high quality
  18. bass — the fish
  19. firm — decided
  20. net — in sport
  21. saw — the tool
  22. firm — a company
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. net — after costs

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