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

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. That was a fun ________________.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. plane — a tool
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. board — to get on
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. board — a committee
  9. game — a kind of play
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. game — a match
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. game — wild animals
  17. rock — music
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. lie — to recline
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. rock — a stone
  24. board — a flat piece

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