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: nail · fork · can · chip · current · coach · track · deal

  1. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — a garden tool
  2. chip — to eat
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. fork — in a road
  8. current — happening now
  9. can — to be able to
  10. deal — to handle
  11. track — a song
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. chip — for betting
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. can — a tin
  16. current — electric
  17. current — of water
  18. track — to keep track
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. track — a path
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. can — a tin
  24. fork — to eat with

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