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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. When are we going to ________________?
  12. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  15. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  16. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. mark — a trace
  5. charge — a price
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. mark — a grade
  11. land — to come down
  12. land — a country
  13. bore — to tire
  14. land — ground
  15. stick — to attach or keep to
  16. capital — a big letter
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. capital — a city
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. charge — electricity
  22. bore — to drill
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. capital — money

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