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: board · pass · stand · lie · chip · can · arm · coach

  1. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. chip — to eat
  5. stand — to bear
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. can — to be able to
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. board — to get on
  15. board — a committee
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. chip — for betting
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. pass — a permit
  23. lie — to recline
  24. lie — an untruth

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