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: net · leaves · ruler · track · stand · racket · bulb · ball

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. net — in sport
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. net — after costs
  8. stand — to bear
  9. track — to keep track
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. bulb — for light
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. bulb — for light
  14. ball — a dance
  15. ball — a great time
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. track — a song
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. track — a path
  21. net — for catching
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. racket — a loud noise
  24. leaves — lets stay

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