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. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  15. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  23. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  24. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. pitch — a sports field
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. charge — electricity
  8. net — after costs
  9. charge — in control
  10. board — to get on
  11. saw — the tool
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. net — for catching
  14. craft — a skill
  15. net — in sport
  16. pass — a permit
  17. craft — boats
  18. board — a committee
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. charge — a price
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. craft — a handicraft
  23. pitch — completely
  24. saw — past of 'see'

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