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: temple · jam · firm · chip · can · lash · safe · season

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. firm — decided
  6. season — of the year
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. firm — steady
  10. can — a tin
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. can — a tin
  13. chip — for betting
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. season — in sport
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. chip — to eat
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. firm — a company

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