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. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  20. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  21. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. drill — army training
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. bound — tied together
  6. drill — a practice
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. bound — obliged
  9. content — the amount
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. spell — a short time
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. deal — to handle
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. spell — magic
  18. toast — bread
  19. content — videos and posts
  20. drill — the tool
  21. content — happy
  22. spell — letters
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. toast — the most admired

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