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 116 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: track · rush · bank · pitch · key · object · chair · safe

  1. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  18. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sales talk
  2. rush — hurry
  3. object — to protest
  4. bank — for money
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. track — a path
  7. chair — to sit on
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. key — in music
  11. chair — a leader
  12. track — a song
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. track — to keep track
  15. bank — of a river
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. chair — a professorship
  18. object — an aim
  19. bank — for money
  20. object — a thing
  21. key — for a lock
  22. key — the most important part
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. pitch — completely

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