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: safe · drill · spring · ruler · arm · chip · can · deal

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  10. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  11. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  19. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. deal — to handle
  3. can — a tin
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. spring — of water
  6. can — a tin
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. can — to be able to
  9. chip — to eat
  10. spring — a coil
  11. drill — a practice
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. spring — the season
  19. drill — the tool
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. drill — army training
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. chip — for betting

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