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 120 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 · can · prune · hide · rock · safe · mug · bound

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. bound — obliged
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. prune — to trim
  5. bound — certain
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. saw — the tool
  8. prune — the fruit
  9. saw — the tool
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mug — to rob
  12. prune — to trim
  13. mug — a face
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rock — a stone
  16. can — a tin
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. can — a tin
  20. rock — music
  21. mug — a cup
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. bound — tied together
  24. saw — past of 'see'

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