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: current · dip · rush · root · stand · board · firm · hand

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. hand — help
  3. current — happening now
  4. current — of water
  5. firm — a company
  6. root — of a plant
  7. board — to get on
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. root — the cause
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. stand — to bear
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. firm — steady
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. rush — hurry
  18. hand — in cards
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. hand — part of the body
  21. board — a committee
  22. root — of a word
  23. current — electric
  24. firm — decided

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