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: last · swing · lie · ball · ruler · current · staff · pitch

  1. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  2. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. David sat on the ________________.
  14. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  15. False peace will not ________________.
  16. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  19. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. staff — employees
  3. ball — a great time
  4. current — happening now
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. lie — to recline
  7. ball — a dance
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. current — of water
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. swing — to play on
  14. swing — music
  15. last — to go on
  16. last — finally
  17. staff — employees
  18. pitch — a sports field
  19. pitch — completely
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. last — final
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. current — electric
  24. staff — a stick

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