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. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. False peace will not ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. mark — a trace
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. bound — tied together
  8. last — to go on
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. last — finally
  11. bound — obliged
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. mark — a grade
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. stick — to attach or keep to
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. bowl — to roll
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. last — final
  24. wax — to grow

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