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 116 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. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — calm and waiting
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. can — a tin
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. current — electric
  8. fine — all right
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. prune — to trim
  11. current — happening now
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. current — of water
  15. can — to be able to
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. can — a tin
  20. rush — hurry
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. prune — to trim
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. fine — high quality

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