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 muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. Have you settled on a ________________?
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. deal — to handle
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. date — on the calendar
  5. date — the fruit
  6. stand — to bear
  7. track — a song
  8. bank — for money
  9. mark — a trace
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. bank — of a river
  14. mark — a grade
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. board — to get on
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. board — a committee
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. bank — for money
  24. track — to keep track

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