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. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  7. There's no middle ________________.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. can — to be able to
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. fall — the season
  7. ground — a position
  8. bank — for money
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. can — a tin
  15. lie — to recline
  16. ground — crushed
  17. fall — to drop
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. bank — of a river
  20. can — a tin
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. fall — to drop
  24. bank — for money

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