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: lie · lean · coach · fan · stock · face · pass · board

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  14. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. The ________________ market has crashed.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. She had a strange look on her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. stock — goods
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. board — a committee
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. stock — a soup base
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. board — to get on
  13. face — to confront
  14. lean — to bend
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. pass — a permit
  17. stock — shares
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. face — to point toward
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. lean — thin
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. face — part of the head

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