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: pop · squash · pass · march · hide · ruler · leaves · stand

  1. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. You don't need to ________________ round.
  7. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. march — music
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. stand — to bear
  4. squash — the sport
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. pop — to visit
  7. squash — the vegetable
  8. pass — a permit
  9. march — the month
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. pop — soda
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. pop — music
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. squash — to crush
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. march — the month

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