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: branch · march · ball · plane · fine · swing · safe · season

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  4. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  5. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  6. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  7. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. David sat on the ________________.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. plane — a tool
  3. season — of the year
  4. march — music
  5. swing — music
  6. swing — in golf
  7. branch — of a bank
  8. fine — high quality
  9. fine — all right
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. march — the month
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. season — in sport
  14. branch — a division
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. swing — to play on
  17. ball — a great time
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. ball — a dance
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. march — the month

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