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: deal · staff · mark · ground · rock · wave · mine · temple

  1. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  24. He was blown up by a land ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. wave — with your hand
  6. rock — a stone
  7. mark — a trace
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. staff — employees
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. ground — a position
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. staff — employees
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. rock — music
  17. mine — for digging
  18. deal — to handle
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. ground — crushed
  21. staff — a stick
  22. mark — a grade
  23. mine — belonging to me
  24. mine — an explosive

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