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: lash · jam · ruler · can · spell · scale · ball · last

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. How do you ________________ your surname?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. False peace will not ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  24. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. last — finally
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. spell — letters
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. can — a tin
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. ball — a dance
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. last — to go on
  13. can — to be able to
  14. scale — in music
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. ball — a great time
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. can — a tin
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. scale — size or range
  22. spell — a short time
  23. last — final
  24. spell — magic

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