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: leaves · sharp · pass · bark · stand · firm · calf · lie

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. sharp — clever
  3. pass — a permit
  4. lie — to recline
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. bark — to shout
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. sharp — with an edge
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. bark — a dog's sound
  17. stand — to bear
  18. firm — a company
  19. bark — of a tree
  20. firm — decided
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. firm — steady
  24. calf — a young animal

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