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: mouse · chip · bay · safe · leaves · bank · toast · stick

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. chip — to eat
  3. bank — of a river
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. bank — for money
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. toast — bread
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. chip — for betting
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. safe — out of danger

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