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. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  7. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — a sports field
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. plane — a tool
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. drill — a practice
  7. pitch — a sales talk
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. fine — all right
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. fine — high quality
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. pitch — completely
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. drill — army training
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. drill — the tool

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