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 116 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. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. ball — a great time
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. can — a tin
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. key — for a lock
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. ball — a dance
  12. can — to be able to
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. key — the most important part
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. can — a tin
  18. file — a line of people
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. file — a document
  21. mark — a trace
  22. key — in music
  23. mark — a grade
  24. leaves — lets stay

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