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 120 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: pitcher · nail · plane · stem · rock · board · cue · rest

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  4. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. stem — of a plant
  4. rest — what's left
  5. cue — for pool
  6. plane — a tool
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. cue — a hint
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. rock — a stone
  14. rest — a break
  15. cue — a signal
  16. stem — to come from
  17. board — a committee
  18. rest — what's left
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. rock — music
  24. board — to get on

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