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: temple · safe · mug · deal · stick · prune · mate · trunk

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. Have you found your soul ________________?
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. mug — to rob
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. mate — a partner
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. trunk — of a tree
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. mug — a cup
  10. prune — to trim
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. mug — a face
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. mate — to breed
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. prune — to trim
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. mate — a friend
  23. prune — the fruit
  24. deal — to handle

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