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: can · club · bear · plane · rock · pitcher · scale · fan

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. can — a tin
  3. can — a tin
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. scale — in music
  6. scale — for weighing
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. rock — music
  9. bear — the animal
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. scale — size or range
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. club — a group
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. can — to be able to
  17. club — for golf
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. rock — a stone
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. bear — the animal
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. club — for dancing

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