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. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. mark — a trace
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. field — for sport
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. field — a subject
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. mark — a grade
  13. season — in sport
  14. field — farmland
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. fine — high quality
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. vault — a safe
  19. season — of the year
  20. vault — in gymnastics
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. fine — all right

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