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: charge · safe · bear · temple · suit · fine · sharp · game

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. That was a fun ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. It's one o'clock ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. suit — clothes
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. fine — all right
  6. game — a kind of play
  7. suit — in cards
  8. charge — electricity
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. game — a match
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. game — wild animals
  14. sharp — clever
  15. bear — the animal
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. suit — to fit
  18. fine — high quality
  19. charge — a price
  20. charge — in control
  21. sharp — exactly
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. bear — the animal
  24. safe — out of danger

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