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 116 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: leaves · safe · hand · cabinet · present · nail · current · firm

  1. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  7. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. The ________________ went through the wall.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.

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

Answer key

  1. hand — help
  2. current — of water
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. hand — part of the body
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. present — there
  7. present — a gift
  8. firm — a company
  9. current — electric
  10. firm — decided
  11. hand — in cards
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. firm — steady
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. current — happening now
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. present — the time now

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