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. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — pulled by horses
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. spell — a short time
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. bear — the animal
  7. spell — magic
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. bulb — for light
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. bulb — for light
  14. spell — letters
  15. craft — a handicraft
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. craft — a skill
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. craft — boats
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. bear — the animal
  23. racket — a loud noise
  24. bulb — of a plant

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