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: season · lean · jam · hide · lie · toast · plane · bulb

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. season — of the year
  6. bulb — for light
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. bulb — for light
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. season — in sport
  19. toast — bread
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. plane — a tool
  23. lean — thin
  24. lean — to bend

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