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: pitch · net · can · plane · branch · staff · toast · board

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. toast — bread
  3. staff — employees
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. can — a tin
  6. plane — a tool
  7. staff — a stick
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. can — to be able to
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. branch — a division
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. pitch — completely
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. staff — employees
  17. can — a tin
  18. net — after costs
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. board — a committee
  21. net — in sport
  22. board — to get on
  23. pitch — a sports field
  24. net — for catching

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