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: hide · stand · racket · fine · dip · bound · bear · leaves

  1. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  2. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. bear — the animal
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. bear — the animal
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. bound — tied together
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. fine — high quality
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. dip — to sink
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. fine — all right
  18. racket — a loud noise
  19. bound — obliged
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. stand — to bear
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. bound — certain
  24. leaves — lets stay

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