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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. key — for a lock
  3. pound — to hit hard
  4. board — to get on
  5. root — the cause
  6. pound — for dogs
  7. board — a committee
  8. charge — in control
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. root — of a word
  11. pound — a weight
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. charge — a price
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. root — of a plant
  16. rock — a stone
  17. rock — music
  18. key — in music
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. charge — electricity
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. key — the most important part
  24. rock — to move gently

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