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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. He is an ace ________________.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  17. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  23. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. craft — a skill
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. pitcher — in baseball
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. bear — the animal
  9. craft — boats
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. plane — a tool
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. board — a committee
  15. bear — the animal
  16. pitch — a sales talk
  17. pitch — completely
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. board — to get on
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. pitch — a sports field
  23. craft — a handicraft
  24. bear — to put up with

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