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 116 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: rush · hide · plane · press · wave · board · bank · bay

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. My mare is ________________ in color.
  5. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. press — newspapers
  4. bay — a horse colour
  5. rush — hurry
  6. board — to get on
  7. bank — for money
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. bank — of a river
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. bank — for money
  17. press — a publisher
  18. board — a committee
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. plane — a tool
  21. wave — of the sea
  22. press — to push
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. wave — with your hand

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