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: bank · rush · track · perch · jam · board · safe · toast

  1. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — a drink to someone
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. track — to keep track
  4. perch — the fish
  5. toast — bread
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. bank — for money
  11. track — a path
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. board — to get on
  14. bank — for money
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. bank — of a river
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. track — a song
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. rush — hurry
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. board — a committee

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