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. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. He is an ace ________________.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. bound — tied together
  3. bound — certain
  4. drill — army training
  5. drill — a practice
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. pitcher — in baseball
  8. bank — of a river
  9. bound — obliged
  10. stand — to bear
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. bank — for money
  13. rest — a break
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. rest — what's left
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. drill — the tool
  19. lie — to recline
  20. rest — what's left
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. toast — bread
  24. lie — an untruth

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