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: safe · pit · bore · coach · hand · rash · plane · stick

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. pit — in a race
  3. plane — a tool
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. bore — to drill
  6. pit — a hole
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. pit — a fruit stone
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. rash — a series
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. hand — part of the body
  14. rash — hasty
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. hand — in cards
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. hand — help
  20. bore — to tire
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — out of danger

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