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 120 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: bulb · board · ruler · cue · race · temple · safe · staff

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. race — humankind
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. race — the arms race
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bulb — for light
  8. cue — a signal
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. cue — a hint
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. staff — employees
  16. race — a contest
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. staff — a stick
  19. board — to get on
  20. bulb — for light
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. board — a committee
  23. cue — for pool
  24. staff — employees

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