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

Word bank: bark · staff · current · jam · pass · toast · mug · plane

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. staff — employees
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. mug — a cup
  9. bark — a dog's sound
  10. current — electric
  11. staff — a stick
  12. bark — to shout
  13. toast — bread
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. bark — of a tree
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. current — of water
  19. pass — a permit
  20. current — happening now
  21. mug — a face
  22. staff — employees
  23. jam — in traffic
  24. mug — to rob

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