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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bowl · staff · rock · temple · ruler · cabinet · board · jam

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. rock — music
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. board — to get on
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. staff — employees
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. rock — a stone
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. staff — a stick
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. staff — employees
  24. temple — side of the head

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