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: mark · object · stick · temple · bore · cabinet · straw · track

  1. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — a straw man
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. straw — to clutch at straws
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. track — a path
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. mark — a trace
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. object — an aim
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. track — to keep track
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. object — to protest
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. mark — a grade
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. bore — to tire
  18. track — a song
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. straw — dry grass
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. object — a thing
  24. bore — to drill

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