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

Word bank: net · saw · fan · mug · bass · mouse · board · safe

  1. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. saw — the tool
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. net — in sport
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. saw — the tool
  11. net — for catching
  12. bass — low music
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. bass — the fish
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. mug — to rob
  19. mug — a cup
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. net — after costs
  22. board — a committee
  23. mug — a face
  24. fan — to cool the air

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