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 116 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. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  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. track — a path
  2. fine — high quality
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. track — to keep track
  7. bulb — for light
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. fine — all right
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. track — a song
  15. bulb — for light
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. deal — to handle
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. deal — an agreement
  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