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: charge · roll · stock · pitch · fan · toast · face · mug

  1. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  2. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  3. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. The players ran onto the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. face — part of the head
  2. stock — a soup base
  3. face — to point toward
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. roll — a list
  6. charge — in control
  7. pitch — completely
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. stock — shares
  13. face — to confront
  14. charge — electricity
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. mug — a face
  17. toast — bread
  18. stock — goods
  19. pitch — a sales talk
  20. mug — to rob
  21. mug — a cup
  22. roll — a cake
  23. charge — a price
  24. pitch — a sports field

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