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: bound · date · face · mark · plane · temple · craft · kick

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  5. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  11. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  19. Have you settled on a ________________?
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. plane — a tool
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. date — on the calendar
  5. kick — in football
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. date — the fruit
  9. craft — a skill
  10. craft — a handicraft
  11. face — to point toward
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. kick — with a leg
  16. mark — a grade
  17. bound — tied together
  18. face — to confront
  19. date — on the calendar
  20. bound — obliged
  21. mark — a trace
  22. face — part of the head
  23. craft — boats
  24. kick — a thrill

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