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: branch · mug · lean · perch · face · pass · track · board

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. face — to confront
  3. lean — to bend
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. mug — a face
  6. board — a committee
  7. perch — the fish
  8. mug — to rob
  9. track — a song
  10. track — to keep track
  11. pass — a permit
  12. branch — a division
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. face — to point toward
  16. lean — thin
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. track — a path
  21. board — to get on
  22. face — part of the head
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. mug — a cup

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