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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  9. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. row — a line
  4. bank — for money
  5. key — for a lock
  6. key — in music
  7. suit — in cards
  8. mine — for digging
  9. mine — an explosive
  10. lie — to recline
  11. bulb — for light
  12. bank — of a river
  13. current — happening now
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. suit — to fit
  16. key — the most important part
  17. row — a quarrel
  18. bulb — for light
  19. suit — clothes
  20. current — of water
  21. current — electric
  22. bank — for money
  23. row — to paddle
  24. bulb — of a plant

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