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 120 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: march · ruler · cap · swing · staff · calf · cue · pitcher

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  4. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  5. He is an ace ________________.
  6. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  7. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  8. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. David sat on the ________________.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  18. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. staff — employees
  3. swing — in golf
  4. cap — of ice
  5. pitcher — in baseball
  6. march — the month
  7. swing — music
  8. cap — a lid
  9. staff — employees
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. staff — a stick
  12. cue — a signal
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. swing — to play on
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. cue — for pool
  17. march — music
  18. march — the month
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. cue — a hint
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. cap — a hat

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