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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  15. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  16. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  23. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. march — the month
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. season — in sport
  8. rock — a stone
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. season — of the year
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. snap — to speak sharply
  15. march — music
  16. branch — a division
  17. rock — music
  18. pit — a fruit stone
  19. pit — in a race
  20. snap — to snap out of it
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. march — the month
  23. snap — to click
  24. pit — a hole

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