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. You don't need to ________________ round.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  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. pop — to visit
  2. club — a group
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. bound — tied together
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. pop — soda
  7. current — happening now
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. club — for dancing
  10. current — of water
  11. club — for golf
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. lie — to recline
  16. bound — obliged
  17. rush — hurry
  18. suit — in cards
  19. suit — to fit
  20. bound — certain
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. current — electric
  23. suit — clothes
  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