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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. dip — to sink
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. current — happening now
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. wax — to grow
  13. season — of the year
  14. season — in sport
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. current — electric
  19. lie — to recline
  20. current — of water
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. safe — out of danger

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