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: ruler · rash · temple · perch · current · face · scale · ball

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. rash — a series
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. scale — size or range
  5. face — to point toward
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. ball — a dance
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. rash — hasty
  11. current — of water
  12. ball — a great time
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. perch — the fish
  16. scale — in music
  17. current — electric
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. face — part of the head
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. face — to confront
  24. current — happening now

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