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. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. object — to protest
  2. ball — a dance
  3. bear — the animal
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. press — newspapers
  8. prune — to trim
  9. object — a thing
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. bear — the animal
  13. rock — a stone
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. prune — to trim
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. ball — a great time
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. prune — the fruit
  20. press — to push
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. object — an aim
  23. press — a publisher
  24. rock — music

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