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. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  11. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  12. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  13. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  23. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — boats
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. branch — a division
  5. fork — in a road
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. branch — of a bank
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. suit — to fit
  10. craft — a skill
  11. fork — a garden tool
  12. file — a line of people
  13. file — a tool
  14. suit — in cards
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. suit — clothes
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. craft — a handicraft
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. fork — to eat with
  23. file — a document
  24. pitcher — a jug

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