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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  4. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. shower — rain
  4. shower — a meteor shower
  5. board — to get on
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. tube — in a tire
  12. tube — the underground
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. track — to keep track
  15. board — a committee
  16. shower — to wash
  17. track — a song
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. track — a path
  20. bore — to tire
  21. tube — a container
  22. mark — a trace
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. bore — to drill

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