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: calf · bound · toast · cabinet · season · pass · bore · mine

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  15. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. bound — tied together
  5. bound — certain
  6. bound — obliged
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. toast — bread
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. pass — a permit
  14. mine — an explosive
  15. mine — belonging to me
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bore — to drill
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. season — in sport
  20. mine — for digging
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. season — of the year
  23. bore — to tire
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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