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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  9. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. shower — a meteor shower
  3. current — electric
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. spell — magic
  7. current — of water
  8. spell — a short time
  9. shower — rain
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. mug — a face
  12. shower — to wash
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. drill — army training
  16. mug — a cup
  17. drill — a practice
  18. foot — a measure
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. spell — letters
  22. drill — the tool
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. mug — to rob

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