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: fork · bound · drill · cabinet · current · can · trunk · key

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  13. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. can — a tin
  3. current — happening now
  4. drill — a practice
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. can — a tin
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. bound — certain
  10. trunk — of an elephant
  11. current — electric
  12. fork — a garden tool
  13. drill — the tool
  14. key — in music
  15. fork — to eat with
  16. key — the most important part
  17. bound — obliged
  18. fork — in a road
  19. key — for a lock
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. trunk — of a tree
  22. bound — tied together
  23. can — to be able to
  24. drill — army training

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