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 always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. suit — clothes
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. content — videos and posts
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. press — newspapers
  11. rule — government
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. content — the amount
  14. suit — in cards
  15. suit — to fit
  16. rule — to rule out
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. rule — a law
  19. press — to push
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. press — a publisher
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. content — happy
  24. mouse — the animal

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