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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bound — tied together
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. key — for a lock
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. track — a song
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. bound — certain
  12. ball — a dance
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. ball — a great time
  15. bound — obliged
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. track — to keep track
  19. key — in music
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. track — a path
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. key — the most important part
  24. ruler — a monarch

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