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: mark · chip · root · fine · fan · bear · lie · ruler

  1. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. chip — for betting
  3. root — the cause
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. mark — a grade
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. lie — to recline
  10. fine — all right
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. mark — a trace
  16. chip — to eat
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. bear — the animal
  20. root — of a word
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. root — of a plant
  23. fine — high quality
  24. lie — an untruth

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