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. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. He is an ace ________________.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  17. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. key — the most important part
  6. face — to point toward
  7. season — of the year
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. pitcher — in baseball
  10. key — for a lock
  11. face — to confront
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. ball — a great time
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. season — in sport
  17. face — part of the head
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. key — in music
  21. lie — to recline
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. ball — a dance
  24. ruler — for measuring

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