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 nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. current — electric
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. current — happening now
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. rock — a stone
  11. cap — of ice
  12. toast — bread
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. board — to get on
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. current — of water
  18. board — a committee
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. cap — a lid
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. rock — music
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. cap — a hat

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