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. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  2. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — a weight
  2. bowl — a dish
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. bear — the animal
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. bear — the animal
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. pound — to hit hard
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. pound — for dogs
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. lie — to recline
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. toast — bread
  24. calf — of the leg

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