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: ruler · foot · coach · bore · current · pass · season · prune

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. season — in sport
  6. pass — a permit
  7. foot — a measure
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. current — of water
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. prune — the fruit
  12. bore — to tire
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. current — electric
  17. prune — to trim
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. season — of the year
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. prune — to trim
  24. bore — to drill

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