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: arm · pass · cue · bore · ruler · fork · hand · temple

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. hand — help
  3. cue — a signal
  4. hand — in cards
  5. pass — a permit
  6. bore — to drill
  7. fork — to eat with
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. fork — in a road
  12. bore — to tire
  13. hand — part of the body
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. cue — for pool
  17. cue — a hint
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. pass — to spend time
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. fork — a garden tool
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. pass — to succeed

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