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 soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  11. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. firm — steady
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. suit — to fit
  6. firm — a company
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. drill — the tool
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mine — an explosive
  11. mine — belonging to me
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. suit — in cards
  14. mug — to rob
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. mug — a cup
  17. mine — for digging
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. mug — a face
  21. firm — decided
  22. suit — clothes
  23. drill — a practice
  24. safe — out of danger

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