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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mark — a grade
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. toast — bread
  5. suit — clothes
  6. mark — a trace
  7. branch — a division
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. suit — to fit
  10. stand — to bear
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. snap — to snap out of it
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. suit — in cards
  15. wound — an injury
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. snap — to speak sharply
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. snap — to click
  23. wound — an injury
  24. branch — of a bank

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