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 potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. vault — a safe
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. straw — a straw man
  5. current — of water
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. vault — in gymnastics
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. chip — for betting
  11. key — in music
  12. straw — dry grass
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. key — the most important part
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. current — electric
  19. current — happening now
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. pass — a permit
  23. straw — to clutch at straws
  24. key — for a lock

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