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 smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  18. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. pitch — completely
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. pitch — a sales talk
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. stand — to bear
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. mine — for digging
  12. chip — to eat
  13. chip — for betting
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. prune — to trim
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. mine — an explosive
  18. mine — belonging to me
  19. mark — a trace
  20. prune — to trim
  21. mark — a grade
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. prune — the fruit
  24. safe — a strongbox

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