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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: mark · tube · stand · last · bore · current · foot · nail

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. False peace will not ________________.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. I'll be taking the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. bore — to tire
  4. current — electric
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. last — finally
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. tube — a container
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. mark — a grade
  12. bore — to drill
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. current — of water
  15. last — to go on
  16. current — happening now
  17. mark — a trace
  18. last — final
  19. foot — a measure
  20. stand — to bear
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. tube — the underground

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