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: foot · mate · ball · file · firm · rest · bowl · lean

  1. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  6. Have you found your soul ________________?
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  19. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. file — a line of people
  3. firm — steady
  4. rest — what's left
  5. bowl — a dish
  6. mate — a partner
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. ball — a dance
  9. ball — a great time
  10. lean — to bend
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. file — a tool
  13. lean — thin
  14. mate — to breed
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. foot — a measure
  17. firm — decided
  18. rest — a break
  19. file — a document
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. lean — to rest against
  22. mate — a friend
  23. firm — a company
  24. bowl — a football final

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