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 120 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. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  7. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. clip — a video
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. key — for a lock
  6. clip — to cut
  7. spring — of water
  8. rush — hurry
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. can — a tin
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. clip — for paper
  13. key — in music
  14. rock — a stone
  15. spring — a coil
  16. can — a tin
  17. spring — the season
  18. can — to be able to
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. rock — music
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. key — the most important part
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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