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. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. That was a fun ________________.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  9. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. file — a tool
  3. lie — to recline
  4. game — a match
  5. track — a path
  6. object — to protest
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. object — a thing
  9. file — a document
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. game — wild animals
  15. track — to keep track
  16. file — a line of people
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. game — a kind of play
  19. bear — the animal
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. track — a song
  23. bear — the animal
  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