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. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  3. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. David sat on the ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. rule — to rule out
  3. rule — government
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. swing — to play on
  8. rock — a stone
  9. can — a tin
  10. branch — a division
  11. plane — a tool
  12. branch — of a tree
  13. board — a committee
  14. rule — a law
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. swing — in golf
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. rock — music
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. can — to be able to
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. can — a tin
  23. board — to get on
  24. perch — the fish

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