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. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  19. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  20. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. face — part of the head
  4. plane — a tool
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. deal — to handle
  7. track — a song
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. mine — an explosive
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. fine — all right
  16. track — a path
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. mine — for digging
  19. pitch — completely
  20. face — to confront
  21. track — to keep track
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. fine — high quality
  24. mine — belonging to me

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