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. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. bound — obliged
  7. bound — tied together
  8. rush — hurry
  9. plane — a tool
  10. cap — a lid
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. lean — to bend
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. lean — to rest against
  16. lean — thin
  17. deal — to handle
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. rock — a stone
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. cap — of ice
  23. rock — music
  24. cap — a hat

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