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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. file — a line of people
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. file — a document
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. stand — to bear
  9. saw — the tool
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. file — a tool
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. saw — the tool
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. lie — to recline
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. pitch — completely
  24. foot — the bottom

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