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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  3. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. row — to paddle
  3. branch — of a tree
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. saw — the tool
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. stand — to bear
  9. bound — certain
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. saw — the tool
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. branch — of a bank
  20. branch — a division
  21. bound — obliged
  22. row — a quarrel
  23. bound — tied together
  24. row — a line

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