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 120 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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. charge — a price
  3. mine — belonging to me
  4. can — to be able to
  5. key — the most important part
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. current — electric
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. current — happening now
  11. key — in music
  12. charge — in control
  13. key — for a lock
  14. charge — electricity
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. can — a tin
  17. can — a tin
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. mine — for digging
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. stand — to bear
  22. mine — an explosive
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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