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: racket · date · wake · stand · calf · key · ruler · sharp

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  3. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  4. It's one o'clock ________________.
  5. Have you settled on a ________________?
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  14. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  21. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  22. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. wake — before a funeral
  3. sharp — with an edge
  4. sharp — exactly
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. date — the fruit
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. wake — to stop sleeping
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. key — for a lock
  17. sharp — clever
  18. stand — to bear
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. date — on the calendar
  21. wake — a trail
  22. racket — a loud noise
  23. key — the most important part
  24. key — in music

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