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. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. False peace will not ________________.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. last — finally
  3. bound — tied together
  4. bound — certain
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. foot — a measure
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. current — electric
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. current — of water
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. bound — obliged
  15. bear — the animal
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. rush — hurry
  18. last — to go on
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. last — final
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. current — happening now

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