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. Have you met the new head ________________?
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  7. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. You don't need to ________________ round.
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. bound — certain
  4. current — of water
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. craft — a handicraft
  7. pop — music
  8. current — happening now
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. current — electric
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. bound — tied together
  14. craft — a skill
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. pop — to visit
  18. craft — boats
  19. pop — soda
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. bound — obliged
  24. temple — a place of worship

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