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: pitcher · saw · stem · club · press · fan · temple · ruler

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. He is an ace ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  13. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  14. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pitcher — in baseball
  6. press — to push
  7. club — for golf
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. saw — the tool
  12. stem — to come from
  13. club — a group
  14. stem — a stem cell
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. stem — of a plant
  20. saw — the tool
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. press — a publisher
  24. club — for dancing

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