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: leaves · tube · mug · safe · roll · coach · fan · suit

  1. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. We're on a ________________ here.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. tube — a container
  4. suit — in cards
  5. suit — to fit
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. mug — a face
  8. suit — clothes
  9. roll — on a roll
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. roll — a list
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. mug — a cup
  20. tube — the underground
  21. mug — to rob
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. roll — a cake

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