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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  23. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. mine — an explosive
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. mine — belonging to me
  5. staff — employees
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. bass — low music
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. bass — the fish
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. staff — employees
  15. club — a group
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. wave — with your hand
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. mine — for digging
  21. staff — a stick
  22. club — for dancing
  23. club — for golf
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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