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. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  2. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  19. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  22. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  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. wound — an injury
  2. fork — a garden tool
  3. bound — certain
  4. bound — tied together
  5. firm — steady
  6. wound — past of 'wind'
  7. key — in music
  8. fine — high quality
  9. chip — to eat
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. firm — a company
  12. firm — decided
  13. rest — a break
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. rest — what's left
  16. wound — an injury
  17. key — the most important part
  18. fork — in a road
  19. chip — for betting
  20. bound — obliged
  21. fork — to eat with
  22. rest — what's left
  23. fine — all right
  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