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: safe · trunk · rock · rest · toast · bear · pitch · fine

  1. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — bread
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. pitch — completely
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. rest — what's left
  6. rest — a break
  7. trunk — of an elephant
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. bear — the animal
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. rock — a stone
  13. rock — music
  14. fine — all right
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. fine — high quality
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bear — the animal
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. rest — what's left
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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