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 hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. firm — decided
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. saw — the tool
  7. mate — to breed
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. saw — the tool
  10. mark — a grade
  11. firm — a company
  12. mate — a friend
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. stand — to bear
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. firm — steady
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. mate — a partner

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