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 120 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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. The ________________ market has crashed.
  8. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. This looks like a gunshot ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. suit — to fit
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. bound — tied together
  5. prune — the fruit
  6. suit — in cards
  7. stock — shares
  8. wound — an injury
  9. suit — clothes
  10. prune — to trim
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. bound — obliged
  13. foot — a measure
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. wound — past of 'wind'
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. prune — to trim
  21. bound — certain
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. stock — goods
  24. wound — an injury

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