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: ruler · toast · kid · safe · cap · rush · rock · deal

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  13. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. kid — child
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. deal — to handle
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. rush — hurry
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. cap — a lid
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. rock — music
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. kid — to tease
  13. cap — of ice
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. toast — bread
  17. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. rock — a stone
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. cap — a hat

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