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 · bound · can · season · pitcher · plane · temple · foot

  1. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. season — in sport
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. can — a tin
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. bound — certain
  8. bound — obliged
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. bound — tied together
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. can — a tin
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. can — to be able to
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. foot — a measure
  21. lie — to recline
  22. plane — a tool
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. season — of the year

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