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 116 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: rush · lean · fan · leaves · ruler · dip · suit · staff

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. suit — to fit
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. staff — employees
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. staff — employees
  8. rush — hurry
  9. dip — to dunk
  10. suit — in cards
  11. staff — a stick
  12. lean — thin
  13. dip — to sink
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. lean — to bend
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. rush — to hurry

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