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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  15. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. My father caught me by the ________________.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. The ball is in your ________________.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  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. saw — the tool
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. root — of a word
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. toast — bread
  10. saw — the tool
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. plane — a tool
  14. court — of law
  15. court — of a king
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. arm — part of the body
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. root — of a plant
  20. root — the cause
  21. court — for sport
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  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