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 120 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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  16. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  21. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. rush — hurry
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. can — a tin
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. rule — a law
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. rule — government
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. can — to be able to
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. squash — to crush
  16. squash — the sport
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. rule — to rule out
  21. squash — the vegetable
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. can — a tin
  24. rush — to hurry

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