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. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. current — electric
  3. rock — a stone
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. bound — tied together
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. fine — high quality
  9. lean — thin
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. bound — obliged
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. fine — all right
  14. current — of water
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. rock — music
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. lean — to bend
  23. bound — certain
  24. current — happening now

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