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. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  2. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. Have you settled on a ________________?
  11. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. bass — low music
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. saw — the tool
  7. fine — all right
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. lean — to bend
  10. date — on the calendar
  11. bass — the fish
  12. fine — high quality
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. date — the fruit
  19. vault — a safe
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. saw — the tool
  22. snap — to click
  23. lean — thin
  24. snap — to snap out of it

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