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 120 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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. When are we going to ________________?
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. bank — of a river
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. charge — in control
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. current — happening now
  9. land — ground
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. bank — for money
  12. wax — in the ear
  13. charge — a price
  14. land — to come down
  15. rush — hurry
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. bank — for money
  18. charge — electricity
  19. land — a country
  20. current — of water
  21. current — electric
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. wax — to grow

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