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. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. mark — a trace
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. mark — a grade
  6. can — a tin
  7. plane — a tool
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. kick — a thrill
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. can — a tin
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. kick — in football
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. kick — with a leg
  20. ball — a dance
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. can — to be able to
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. mark — to pay attention

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