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: tube · object · season · rash · suit · safe · drill · leaves

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  24. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. drill — a practice
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. season — of the year
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. rash — hasty
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. season — in sport
  9. drill — the tool
  10. suit — clothes
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. tube — the underground
  14. object — an aim
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. object — to protest
  17. drill — army training
  18. rash — a series
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. suit — to fit
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. suit — in cards
  23. tube — a container
  24. object — a thing

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