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: bear · leaves · plane · charge · suit · stand · lean · roll

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. roll — a list
  3. plane — a tool
  4. bear — the animal
  5. stand — to bear
  6. bear — the animal
  7. charge — in control
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. lean — to bend
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. charge — electricity
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. roll — a cake
  17. suit — to fit
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. suit — in cards
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. charge — a price
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. suit — clothes
  24. lean — thin

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