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: cue · pass · staff · foot · capital · temple · safe · current

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. capital — a city
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. current — happening now
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. cue — for pool
  9. pass — a permit
  10. capital — money
  11. staff — a stick
  12. cue — a signal
  13. staff — employees
  14. current — electric
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. cue — a hint
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. current — of water
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. capital — a big letter
  21. staff — employees
  22. foot — a measure
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. foot — part of the body

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