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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: row · temple · bay · branch · plane · rock · mouse · pass

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  9. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. pass — a permit
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. rock — music
  6. plane — a tool
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. row — a line
  9. row — a quarrel
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. rock — a stone
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. branch — a division
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. branch — of a bank

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