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. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. mark — a grade
  3. firm — a company
  4. can — a tin
  5. mark — a trace
  6. board — to get on
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. shower — to wash
  9. can — to be able to
  10. saw — the tool
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. shower — rain
  13. board — a committee
  14. firm — steady
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. lean — thin
  20. lean — to bend
  21. firm — decided
  22. shower — a meteor shower
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. can — a tin

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