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: deal · cap · date · rush · lean · safe · bass · charge

  1. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  6. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  16. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. Have you settled on a ________________?
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — electricity
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. deal — to handle
  5. cap — of ice
  6. date — the fruit
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. lean — to bend
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. cap — a lid
  13. bass — low music
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. lean — to rest against
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. bass — the fish
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. rush — hurry
  20. cap — a hat
  21. charge — a price
  22. charge — in control
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. lean — thin

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