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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. Have you settled on a ________________?
  19. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  22. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mate — a friend
  3. firm — a company
  4. root — of a word
  5. deal — to handle
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. root — of a plant
  8. pound — to hit hard
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. date — the fruit
  14. firm — decided
  15. pound — a weight
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. root — the cause
  20. mate — a partner
  21. pound — for dogs
  22. mate — to breed
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. firm — steady

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