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 newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  7. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  8. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. bound — obliged
  4. mug — to rob
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. chip — to eat
  7. craft — a handicraft
  8. bound — tied together
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. chip — for betting
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. bound — certain
  17. foot — a measure
  18. craft — boats
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. craft — a skill
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. mug — a face
  24. mug — a cup

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