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: tube · ruler · suit · last · branch · key · deal · land

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  4. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. When are we going to ________________?
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. False peace will not ________________.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. I'll be taking the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. deal — to handle
  3. last — final
  4. tube — in a tire
  5. suit — in cards
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. suit — to fit
  8. branch — a division
  9. land — a country
  10. suit — clothes
  11. land — to come down
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. key — in music
  14. last — finally
  15. key — the most important part
  16. land — ground
  17. tube — a container
  18. branch — of a bank
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. last — to go on
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. key — for a lock
  24. tube — the underground

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