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: stand · lie · ruler · shower · jam · board · stock · coach

  1. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. Have you met the new head ________________?
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. jam — to spread on bread
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. stock — shares
  5. stand — to bear
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. shower — to wash
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. board — a committee
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. shower — rain
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. shower — a meteor shower
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. lie — to recline
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. board — to get on
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. stock — goods
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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