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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  21. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. patient — calm and waiting
  5. bear — the animal
  6. toast — bread
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. field — for sport
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. current — electric
  12. current — of water
  13. field — a subject
  14. pass — a permit
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. field — farmland
  21. bear — the animal
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. bear — to put up with

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