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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  21. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  22. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  23. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. can — a tin
  3. row — to paddle
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. can — a tin
  6. board — a committee
  7. staff — employees
  8. can — to be able to
  9. staff — employees
  10. board — to get on
  11. season — in sport
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. lie — to recline
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bark — of a tree
  16. season — of the year
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. staff — a stick
  20. bark — to shout
  21. row — a line
  22. row — a quarrel
  23. bark — a dog's sound
  24. safe — out of danger

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