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: coach · bank · deal · hand · rest · pitch · calf · ruler

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  4. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  24. I got dealt a bad ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. pitch — a sales talk
  4. hand — part of the body
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. deal — to handle
  8. pitch — completely
  9. rest — what's left
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. bank — for money
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. hand — help
  16. bank — for money
  17. rest — a break
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. bank — of a river
  23. rest — what's left
  24. hand — in cards

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