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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  14. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. We're almost out of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. pop — to visit
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. rest — a break
  5. suit — to fit
  6. pass — a permit
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. suit — clothes
  9. charge — a price
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. field — farmland
  14. field — a subject
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. pop — music
  18. rest — what's left
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. suit — in cards
  21. rest — what's left
  22. field — for sport
  23. charge — electricity
  24. pop — soda

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