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: calf · safe · lash · scale · hand · rush · fan · bank

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. bank — for money
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. hand — in cards
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. hand — part of the body
  9. bank — for money
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. bank — of a river
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. hand — help
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. rush — hurry
  23. scale — size or range
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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