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: court · lie · ruler · rush · toast · fan · band · plane

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  21. The ball is in your ________________.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. lie — to recline
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. band — a ring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. plane — a tool
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. band — a rubber band
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. rush — hurry
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. court — of a king
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. toast — bread
  20. court — of law
  21. court — for sport
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. band — a music group
  24. fan — a supporter

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