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. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  3. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  21. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. present — the time now
  3. present — there
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. wake — before a funeral
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. present — a gift
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. plane — a tool
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. foot — a measure
  18. fine — all right
  19. fine — high quality
  20. wake — to stop sleeping
  21. wake — a trail
  22. sharp — clever
  23. can — to be able to
  24. arm — a part of something

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