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. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Have you settled on a ________________?
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. date — the fruit
  4. rock — a stone
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. bore — to tire
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. date — on the calendar
  10. key — for a lock
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. key — in music
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. current — electric
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. rock — music
  18. current — of water
  19. current — happening now
  20. bore — to drill
  21. key — the most important part
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. pitch — completely

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