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. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  5. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. That was a fun ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. bound — certain
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. face — to confront
  5. face — part of the head
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. face — to point toward
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. chest — of your body
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. chest — a box
  12. mug — a cup
  13. game — wild animals
  14. mug — a face
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. mug — to rob
  17. chest — of your body
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. foot — a measure
  20. bound — tied together
  21. bound — obliged
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. game — a match

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