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 124 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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. wake — a trail
  3. ball — a great time
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. suit — in cards
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. ball — a dance
  9. trunk — of a car
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. trunk — of a tree
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. suit — to fit
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. rush — hurry
  23. ball — a round shape
  24. pitcher — a jug

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