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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. rash — a series
  3. board — a committee
  4. staff — employees
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. face — to confront
  8. rash — hasty
  9. bulb — for light
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. face — part of the head
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. staff — a stick
  15. fine — all right
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. face — to point toward
  18. fine — high quality
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. board — to get on
  21. staff — employees
  22. bulb — for light
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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