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 116 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  16. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. stock — a soup base
  6. firm — steady
  7. ball — a great time
  8. stock — shares
  9. lean — to bend
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. stand — to bear
  12. scale — for weighing
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. ball — a dance
  15. scale — in music
  16. firm — decided
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. stock — goods
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. scale — size or range
  22. lean — thin
  23. firm — a company
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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