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 120 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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. lean — thin
  4. mug — a cup
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. board — to get on
  7. lean — to bend
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. deal — to handle
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. foot — a measure
  20. board — a committee
  21. stand — to bear
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. mug — to rob
  24. foot — part of the body

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