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: mark · coach · bank · stock · mug · safe · ground · swing

  1. David sat on the ________________.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. There's no middle ________________.
  10. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — to play on
  2. stock — goods
  3. ground — the earth
  4. stock — shares
  5. bank — of a river
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. swing — in golf
  8. mark — a trace
  9. ground — a position
  10. swing — music
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. mug — a cup
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. mark — a grade
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. bank — for money
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. ground — crushed
  21. mug — to rob
  22. bank — for money
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. mug — a face

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