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

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. can — a tin
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. mug — to rob
  5. can — to be able to
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. can — a tin
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. stand — to bear
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. rest — a break
  19. plane — a tool
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. rest — what's left
  22. mug — a cup
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. rest — what's left

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