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 dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — a meteor shower
  2. shower — rain
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. can — a tin
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. deal — to handle
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. shower — to wash
  19. can — to be able to
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. can — a tin
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. ruler — for measuring

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