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: charge · drill · foot · racket · saw · ruler · mark · mate

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. saw — the tool
  3. charge — in control
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. drill — army training
  6. racket — a loud noise
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. foot — a measure
  9. drill — a practice
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. mate — a friend
  12. mark — a trace
  13. mark — a grade
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. mate — a partner
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. charge — a price
  21. mate — to breed
  22. drill — the tool
  23. saw — the tool
  24. charge — electricity

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