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 spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  6. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. fork — to eat with
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. march — music
  6. fork — in a road
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. march — the month
  11. toast — bread
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. march — the month
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. bass — low music
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. fork — a garden tool
  22. bass — the fish
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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