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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: pass · mug · hand · date · chip · safe · dip · coach

  1. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  8. Have you settled on a ________________?
  9. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. pass — a permit
  3. dip — to sink
  4. hand — help
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. hand — in cards
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. date — on the calendar
  10. chip — for betting
  11. chip — to eat
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. coach — pulled by horses
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. mug — a face
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. hand — part of the body
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. mug — a cup
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. mug — to rob
  24. date — the fruit

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