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: wax · bulb · toast · ruler · temple · rush · calf · board

  1. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. board — to get on
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. toast — bread
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. wax — to grow
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. board — a committee
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. bulb — for light
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. rush — hurry
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. board — a flat piece

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