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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. current — electric
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. stand — to bear
  6. present — there
  7. bore — to drill
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. track — to keep track
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. present — the time now
  13. bore — to tire
  14. current — happening now
  15. current — of water
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. track — a path
  18. lean — thin
  19. track — a song
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. present — a gift
  22. rash — a series
  23. rash — hasty
  24. lean — to bend

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