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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. board — to get on
  3. stand — to bear
  4. sharp — clever
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. chair — a leader
  8. bear — the animal
  9. chair — to sit on
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. mug — a cup
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. bear — to put up with
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. deal — to handle
  17. mug — a face
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. board — a committee
  21. bear — the animal
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. mug — to rob
  24. chair — a professorship

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