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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  3. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  20. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  23. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. firm — a company
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. tube — the underground
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. bark — a dog's sound
  8. firm — steady
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. tube — a container
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. wound — an injury
  17. firm — decided
  18. perch — the fish
  19. bark — to shout
  20. wound — an injury
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. wound — past of 'wind'
  23. bark — of a tree
  24. pass — a permit

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