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. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  14. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. bore — to tire
  3. staff — employees
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. staff — a stick
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. march — the month
  14. march — music
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. fine — high quality
  17. wax — to grow
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. march — the month
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. fine — all right
  22. lie — to recline
  23. staff — employees
  24. bore — to drill

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