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 need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. We're almost out of ________________.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. current — of water
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. current — electric
  6. pop — music
  7. key — in music
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. plane — a tool
  11. key — for a lock
  12. pop — soda
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. key — the most important part
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. pop — to visit
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. current — happening now
  24. lash — an eyelash

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