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: safe · racket · lash · suit · trunk · roll · tube · mark

  1. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. roll — a list
  4. suit — clothes
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. mark — a grade
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. tube — the underground
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. trunk — of a car
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. tube — a container
  17. lash — an eyelash
  18. roll — a cake
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. mark — a trace
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. suit — to fit
  23. suit — in cards
  24. tube — in a tire

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