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 124 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 train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  22. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. rest — what's left
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. lean — to bend
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bore — to tire
  7. vault — in gymnastics
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. lean — to rest against
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. bore — to drill
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. rest — what's left
  16. face — to point toward
  17. rest — a break
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. vault — a safe
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. lean — thin
  22. face — part of the head
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. face — to confront

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