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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  12. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. suit — to fit
  3. staff — employees
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. staff — a stick
  7. bear — to put up with
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. bear — the animal
  10. suit — in cards
  11. lean — to rest against
  12. bear — the animal
  13. lean — to bend
  14. staff — employees
  15. suit — clothes
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. lean — thin
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. vault — a safe
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. season — of the year
  24. hide — animal skin

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