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 116 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. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. Have you found your soul ________________?
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. pop — soda
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. pop — music
  11. mate — a partner
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. firm — a company
  15. pop — to visit
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. firm — steady
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. mate — to breed
  24. mate — a friend

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