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 tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  17. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  23. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  24. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. toast — bread
  4. rush — hurry
  5. stand — to bear
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. trunk — of an elephant
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. field — for sport
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. pitch — a sales talk
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. field — a subject
  17. pitch — a sports field
  18. pitch — completely
  19. club — for dancing
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. field — farmland
  23. club — a group
  24. club — for golf

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