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: current · bore · face · track · toast · bound · foot · drill

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  13. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. face — to confront
  4. drill — a practice
  5. toast — bread
  6. current — happening now
  7. drill — the tool
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. face — part of the head
  10. bore — to tire
  11. bound — obliged
  12. drill — army training
  13. face — to point toward
  14. current — of water
  15. current — electric
  16. track — to keep track
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. bound — certain
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. foot — a measure
  21. track — a path
  22. bore — to drill
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. track — a song

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