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: jam · saw · ruler · pitch · lean · safe · bound · date

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Have you settled on a ________________?
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. bound — certain
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. saw — the tool
  6. lean — to rest against
  7. saw — the tool
  8. pitch — completely
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. bound — tied together
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. bound — obliged
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. lean — to bend
  21. date — the fruit
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. lean — thin

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