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. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  17. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  20. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  21. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  22. There's no middle ________________.
  23. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — crushed
  2. rest — what's left
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. can — a tin
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. can — a tin
  7. wound — an injury
  8. mark — a trace
  9. can — to be able to
  10. rest — a break
  11. mark — a grade
  12. ball — a great time
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. rest — what's left
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. pound — to hit hard
  17. wound — past of 'wind'
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. pound — a weight
  20. wound — an injury
  21. pound — for dogs
  22. ground — a position
  23. ground — the earth
  24. ball — a dance

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