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. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. toast — bread
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. spell — letters
  8. spell — magic
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. hand — help
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. bulb — for light
  20. hand — in cards
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. hand — part of the body
  24. lash — to lash out

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