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: lean · current · stand · row · object · rock · toast · mug

  1. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  23. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. mug — a face
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. object — to protest
  5. toast — bread
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. mug — a cup
  9. rock — a stone
  10. stand — to bear
  11. lean — to rest against
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. row — a line
  14. rock — music
  15. current — electric
  16. lean — thin
  17. object — a thing
  18. mug — to rob
  19. current — happening now
  20. current — of water
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. row — to paddle
  23. row — a quarrel
  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