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: ball · board · drill · current · toast · lash · ruler · can

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. current — of water
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. drill — the tool
  10. can — to be able to
  11. can — a tin
  12. ball — a great time
  13. current — electric
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. drill — a practice
  16. toast — bread
  17. drill — army training
  18. board — a committee
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. current — happening now
  21. board — to get on
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. ball — a dance
  24. can — a tin

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