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: saw · rock · mark · chip · lean · temple · bay · stick

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. lean — thin
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. rock — a stone
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. saw — the tool
  9. lean — to bend
  10. mark — a grade
  11. rock — music
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. bay — to keep at bay
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. mark — a trace
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. saw — the tool
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. chip — to eat
  24. chip — for betting

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