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 valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  3. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  7. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  8. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. pound — for dogs
  3. pound — a weight
  4. object — to protest
  5. current — of water
  6. snap — to click
  7. object — an aim
  8. snap — to speak sharply
  9. bore — to drill
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. current — electric
  12. board — a committee
  13. cue — a hint
  14. bore — to tire
  15. current — happening now
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. pound — to hit hard
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. snap — to snap out of it
  20. cue — for pool
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. board — to get on
  23. toast — bread
  24. cue — a signal

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