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 120 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: arm · bowl · bound · key · fan · safe · rock · wound

  1. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — an injury
  2. bound — certain
  3. bound — tied together
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. key — for a lock
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. rock — music
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. key — in music
  15. bound — obliged
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. rock — a stone
  21. wound — an injury
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. wound — past of 'wind'
  24. key — the most important part

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