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. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. It's one o'clock ________________.
  9. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  15. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. firm — a company
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. prune — to trim
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. spell — magic
  8. sharp — exactly
  9. bass — the fish
  10. prune — to trim
  11. spell — a short time
  12. firm — decided
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. bass — the instrument
  15. sharp — with an edge
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. bass — low music
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. sharp — clever
  23. spell — letters
  24. ruler — for measuring

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