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. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  4. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. The ball is in your ________________.
  14. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  15. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  16. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. march — music
  4. march — the month
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. object — a thing
  8. object — an aim
  9. object — to protest
  10. rash — a series
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. rash — hasty
  13. court — for sport
  14. hand — in cards
  15. court — of law
  16. hand — part of the body
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. court — of a king
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. hand — help
  24. safe — a strongbox

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