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: foot · leaves · nail · board · jam · pass · coach · plane

  1. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. jam — to spread on bread
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. foot — a measure
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. board — to get on
  9. plane — a tool
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. pass — a permit
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. board — a committee
  24. coach — a trainer

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