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: rash · racket · bound · mark · pass · face · spell · calf

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. How do you ________________ your surname?
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. spell — a short time
  3. bound — certain
  4. spell — letters
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. mark — a trace
  7. mark — a grade
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. face — part of the head
  10. bound — tied together
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. spell — magic
  14. rash — a series
  15. pass — a permit
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. face — to point toward
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. face — to confront
  23. bound — obliged
  24. rash — hasty

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