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 120 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. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — past of 'wind'
  2. bank — of a river
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. charge — electricity
  6. wound — an injury
  7. bank — for money
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. charge — in control
  11. stand — to bear
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. bank — for money
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. charge — a price
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. stock — shares
  20. stock — goods
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. wound — an injury

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