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 116 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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  17. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  18. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  19. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. How do you ________________ your surname?

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. can — a tin
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. mine — an explosive
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. key — for a lock
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. dip — to sink
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. key — the most important part
  14. lie — to recline
  15. key — in music
  16. spell — a short time
  17. mine — for digging
  18. mine — belonging to me
  19. spell — magic
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. can — a tin
  23. can — to be able to
  24. spell — letters

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