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: firm · bark · rash · board · lie · bore · safe · dip

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  17. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  20. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to tire
  2. board — a committee
  3. dip — a sauce
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. bark — of a tree
  6. lie — to recline
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. dip — to sink
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. bore — to drill
  11. firm — a company
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. rash — hasty
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. firm — decided
  17. rash — a series
  18. board — to get on
  19. bark — a dog's sound
  20. bark — to shout
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. firm — steady

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