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: suit · arm · stick · safe · spell · coach · mug · nail

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. mug — a face
  8. suit — to fit
  9. spell — a short time
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. spell — magic
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. mug — to rob
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. mug — a cup
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. spell — letters
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. suit — clothes

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