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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  5. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. wax — in the ear
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. pit — in a race
  5. pit — a fruit stone
  6. lie — to recline
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. charge — a price
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. present — there
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. charge — in control
  17. present — a gift
  18. charge — electricity
  19. foot — a measure
  20. wax — to grow
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. present — the time now
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. pit — a hole

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