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: rest · kick · root · rush · wax · mug · lie · ruler

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. mug — a face
  3. kick — with a leg
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. rest — a break
  9. rest — what's left
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. kick — a thrill
  12. root — the cause
  13. kick — in football
  14. mug — a cup
  15. lie — to recline
  16. rest — what's left
  17. wax — to grow
  18. root — of a word
  19. mug — to rob
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. rush — hurry
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. root — of a plant
  24. wax — in the ear

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