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: stock · calf · arm · scale · track · safe · plane · cap

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  16. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. track — a path
  7. cap — a hat
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. scale — in music
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. track — to keep track
  13. scale — size or range
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. stock — goods
  16. cap — of ice
  17. track — a song
  18. stock — shares
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. cap — a lid
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. plane — an aircraft

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