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 124 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 people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Don't do anything ________________.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. stock — goods
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. mug — to rob
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. toast — bread
  13. lie — to recline
  14. mug — a cup
  15. rash — hasty
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. mug — a face
  20. stock — shares
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. rash — a series
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. ruler — for measuring

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