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. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  9. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  10. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  11. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. chip — in a computer
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. field — for sport
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. chip — for betting
  7. bore — to drill
  8. field — farmland
  9. present — a gift
  10. present — the time now
  11. field — a subject
  12. chip — to eat
  13. bore — to tire
  14. present — there
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. rush — hurry
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. ball — a great time
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. ball — a dance
  24. fan — to cool the air

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