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 116 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: rash · safe · deal · pit · calf · mark · suit · bank

  1. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. deal — to handle
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. pit — a hole
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. bank — for money
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. rash — hasty
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. bank — for money
  17. suit — to fit
  18. rash — a series
  19. suit — clothes
  20. bank — of a river
  21. suit — in cards
  22. mark — a trace
  23. pit — in a race
  24. mark — a grade

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