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: can · bass · pitcher · stick · rash · suit · fine · ruler

  1. Don't do anything ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — hasty
  2. rash — a series
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. fine — high quality
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. can — a tin
  7. bass — low music
  8. fine — all right
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. bass — the fish
  12. suit — to fit
  13. suit — clothes
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. can — a tin
  16. can — to be able to
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. suit — in cards
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. ruler — a monarch

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