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: calf · pitcher · nail · bowl · cabinet · lash · fine · plane

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. fine — high quality
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. plane — a tool
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. fine — all right
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. bowl — to roll

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