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: sharp · vault · coach · pass · bank · straw · face · safe

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. It's one o'clock ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  20. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. bank — of a river
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. sharp — exactly
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. sharp — clever
  7. straw — to clutch at straws
  8. bank — for money
  9. vault — a safe
  10. face — part of the head
  11. straw — a straw man
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. pass — a permit
  15. face — to point toward
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. straw — dry grass
  20. face — to confront
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. bank — for money
  24. pass — to succeed

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