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: hide · pass · fine · mine · mate · wax · leaves · board

  1. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  7. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  11. Have you found your soul ________________?
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. wax — to grow
  7. mine — for digging
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. mate — to breed
  11. mate — a partner
  12. pass — a permit
  13. board — to get on
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. board — a committee
  18. mate — a friend
  19. fine — high quality
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. fine — all right

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