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: mark · last · root · ruler · hand · calf · net · current

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  6. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. False peace will not ________________.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  22. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. mark — a grade
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. root — of a word
  5. hand — part of the body
  6. last — final
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. root — the cause
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. last — finally
  12. net — in sport
  13. last — to go on
  14. current — of water
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. current — happening now
  17. net — after costs
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. hand — help
  20. root — of a plant
  21. hand — in cards
  22. net — for catching
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. current — electric

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