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 124 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 train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  10. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. chip — for betting
  3. can — a tin
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. can — to be able to
  8. suit — in cards
  9. fall — to drop
  10. patient — calm and waiting
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. suit — to fit
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. stand — to bear
  16. plane — a tool
  17. fall — the season
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. can — a tin
  21. chip — to eat
  22. suit — clothes
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. fall — to drop

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