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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  8. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  9. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  14. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  15. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  19. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. There's no middle ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. can — to be able to
  3. can — a tin
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. hand — in cards
  8. ground — the earth
  9. hand — part of the body
  10. rush — hurry
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. wake — to stop sleeping
  14. wake — a trail
  15. ground — crushed
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. hand — help
  19. wake — before a funeral
  20. deal — to handle
  21. can — a tin
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. ground — a position

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