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: leaves · file · rush · fan · bound · cabinet · ruler · pitch

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. file — a tool
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. file — a line of people
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. pitch — a sales talk
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. bound — certain
  12. bound — tied together
  13. pitch — completely
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. file — a document
  19. rush — hurry
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. pitch — a sports field
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. bound — obliged
  24. fan — a supporter

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