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. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  22. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. suit — clothes
  3. bass — the fish
  4. current — electric
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bass — low music
  7. current — happening now
  8. wake — a trail
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. wake — before a funeral
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. mine — an explosive
  16. board — a committee
  17. mine — for digging
  18. suit — in cards
  19. suit — to fit
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. wake — to stop sleeping
  22. bass — the instrument
  23. board — to get on
  24. current — of water

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