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. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  2. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  19. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — an injury
  2. mine — belonging to me
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. staff — a stick
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. rock — a stone
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. wound — past of 'wind'
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. rock — music
  14. staff — employees
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. stand — to bear
  18. mine — for digging
  19. mine — an explosive
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. wound — an injury
  24. staff — employees

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