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: leaves · ground · rock · plane · bear · face · lash · staff

  1. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. There's no middle ________________.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. face — to confront
  6. bear — the animal
  7. staff — employees
  8. staff — employees
  9. bear — the animal
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. plane — a tool
  13. staff — a stick
  14. face — part of the head
  15. rock — music
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. ground — crushed
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. ground — the earth
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. ground — a position
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. rock — a stone
  24. face — to point toward

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