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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. present — a gift
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. current — happening now
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. bark — of a tree
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. current — electric
  14. bark — to shout
  15. rush — hurry
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. present — there
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. current — of water
  21. bark — a dog's sound
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. present — the time now

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