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 120 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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. lie — to recline
  5. tube — the underground
  6. sharp — clever
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. sharp — with an edge
  9. tube — a container
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. current — of water
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. wake — a trail
  16. deal — to handle
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. ball — a dance
  19. current — electric
  20. ball — a great time
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. current — happening now
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. deal — an agreement

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