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. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  11. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  14. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. The ball is in your ________________.
  18. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fall — the season
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. face — part of the head
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. charge — electricity
  6. fine — high quality
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. fine — all right
  9. rock — music
  10. face — to confront
  11. court — of a king
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. face — to point toward
  14. fall — to drop
  15. charge — a price
  16. rock — a stone
  17. court — for sport
  18. court — of law
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. fall — to drop
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. charge — in control
  24. rush — hurry

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