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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. rock — a stone
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. hand — part of the body
  6. net — for catching
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. hand — in cards
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. suit — clothes
  12. suit — in cards
  13. rock — music
  14. current — happening now
  15. hand — help
  16. net — after costs
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. net — in sport
  20. suit — to fit
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. current — of water
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. ruler — a monarch

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