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 smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. staff — employees
  3. cue — for pool
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. drill — a practice
  6. spell — a short time
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. drill — the tool
  10. spell — magic
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. cue — a signal
  13. staff — a stick
  14. stand — to bear
  15. cue — a hint
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. spell — letters
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. drill — army training
  22. plane — a tool
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. staff — employees

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