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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. snap — to speak sharply
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. cue — a hint
  6. spell — letters
  7. spell — a short time
  8. spell — magic
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. stem — to come from
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. snap — to click
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. cue — for pool
  18. stem — of a plant
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. cue — a signal
  21. rock — music
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. rock — a stone

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