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: mark · firm · bound · bay · content · pitch · jam · object

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  16. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  17. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. object — an aim
  3. firm — decided
  4. object — to protest
  5. firm — steady
  6. pitch — completely
  7. mark — a trace
  8. bound — obliged
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. content — videos and posts
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. object — a thing
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. pitch — a sales talk
  16. firm — a company
  17. content — happy
  18. bound — certain
  19. mark — a grade
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. content — the amount
  22. bound — tied together
  23. pitch — a sports field
  24. bay — a horse colour

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