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: hand · perch · leaves · foot · cue · stand · bank · safe

  1. I can't ________________ this cold.
  2. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — to bear
  2. hand — part of the body
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. hand — help
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. bank — of a river
  10. foot — a measure
  11. perch — the fish
  12. hand — in cards
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. cue — for pool
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. bank — for money
  17. cue — a hint
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. bank — for money
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. cue — a signal

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