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. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  2. My mare is ________________ in color.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  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. rush — to hurry
  2. bay — a horse colour
  3. object — an aim
  4. charge — electricity
  5. rush — hurry
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. current — of water
  10. current — happening now
  11. charge — in control
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. pass — a permit
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. object — to protest
  19. charge — a price
  20. object — a thing
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. current — electric
  23. temple — side of the head
  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