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: net · fine · tube · firm · fan · ruler · cabinet · pit

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. tube — the underground
  8. firm — a company
  9. net — in sport
  10. fine — all right
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. pit — a hole
  13. firm — decided
  14. firm — steady
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. net — after costs
  18. net — for catching
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. tube — a container
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. fine — high quality
  24. pit — in a race

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