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: wave · leaves · rest · board · date · ruler · firm · safe

  1. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  19. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. board — a committee
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. board — to get on
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. date — the fruit
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. rest — what's left
  12. firm — a company
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. rest — what's left
  15. firm — steady
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. rest — a break
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. firm — decided
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. leaves — to go away

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