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. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  3. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. spring — the season
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. pitch — a sales talk
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. spring — a coil
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. current — of water
  18. pass — a permit
  19. spring — of water
  20. current — happening now
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. current — electric

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