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: pass · lean · ground · deal · nail · rush · pitch · rock

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  11. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. rock — a stone
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. rush — hurry
  8. lean — to bend
  9. pass — a permit
  10. pitch — a sales talk
  11. ground — crushed
  12. ground — a position
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. rock — music
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. lean — thin
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. ground — the earth
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. deal — to handle
  24. pitch — completely

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