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: swing · face · wax · pass · scale · nail · stand · pitch

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  8. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  9. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. David sat on the ________________.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. scale — size or range
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. face — part of the head
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. swing — music
  8. wax — to grow
  9. swing — in golf
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. stand — to bear
  12. pitch — completely
  13. swing — to play on
  14. pass — a permit
  15. face — to point toward
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. pitch — a sports field
  24. face — to confront

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