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: saw · dip · key · deal · pitch · cabinet · bound · trunk

  1. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. He works in a ________________ mill.
  15. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sports field
  2. key — in music
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. deal — to handle
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. pitch — completely
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. dip — to sink
  12. trunk — of a car
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. saw — the tool
  15. trunk — of a tree
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. key — the most important part
  19. bound — obliged
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. key — for a lock
  22. bound — certain
  23. bound — tied together
  24. saw — the tool

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