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. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  9. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. We're on a ________________ here.
  22. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. fork — to eat with
  5. tube — a container
  6. fork — a garden tool
  7. drill — the tool
  8. roll — a cake
  9. drill — army training
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. bulb — for light
  13. roll — a list
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. tube — the underground
  16. drill — a practice
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. fall — to drop
  19. bulb — for light
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. roll — on a roll
  22. fall — to drop
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. fall — the season

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