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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. band — a rubber band
  3. key — for a lock
  4. current — electric
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. current — happening now
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. wave — of the sea
  10. key — the most important part
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. key — in music
  14. band — a music group
  15. mug — a cup
  16. mark — a trace
  17. band — a ring
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. wave — with your hand
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. mug — a face
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. mug — to rob
  24. mark — a grade

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