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. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. You don't need to ________________ round.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. plane — a tool
  3. deal — to handle
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. cap — of ice
  8. pop — soda
  9. pop — to visit
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. cap — a hat
  15. suit — in cards
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. suit — to fit
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. suit — clothes
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. cap — a lid
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. pop — music

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