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. What do you think of the new ________________?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. False peace will not ________________.
  10. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  11. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. pass — a permit
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  8. sharp — clever
  9. last — to go on
  10. last — final
  11. kid — child
  12. cue — a hint
  13. last — finally
  14. cue — a signal
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. net — after costs
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. net — in sport
  20. net — for catching
  21. cue — for pool
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. kid — to tease

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