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: ruler · court · cabinet · leaves · safe · chip · bore · pit

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. The ball is in your ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. chip — for betting
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. bore — to tire
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. court — for sport
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. bore — gave birth
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. bore — to drill
  14. pit — in a race
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. chip — to eat
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. court — of law
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. court — of a king
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. pit — a hole

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