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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. pit — in a race
  7. shower — rain
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. shower — a meteor shower
  10. pit — a hole
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. shower — to wash
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. tube — a container
  19. tube — the underground
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. safe — out of danger

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