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: charge · season · safe · land · key · can · stand · root

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. When are we going to ________________?
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. land — ground
  3. key — for a lock
  4. key — in music
  5. root — of a word
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. land — a country
  8. can — a tin
  9. land — to come down
  10. season — in sport
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. root — of a plant
  13. charge — a price
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. charge — in control
  16. charge — electricity
  17. season — of the year
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. can — to be able to
  21. root — the cause
  22. key — the most important part
  23. can — a tin
  24. stand — to bear

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