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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  15. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. ball — a great time
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. board — a committee
  6. ball — a dance
  7. wave — of the sea
  8. stand — to bear
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. wave — with your hand
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. wave — a sudden rise
  15. pitch — completely
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. pitch — a sports field
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. bowl — to roll
  23. rush — hurry
  24. board — to get on

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