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. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. saw — the tool
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. can — a tin
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. can — a tin
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. firm — steady
  10. firm — decided
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. bulb — for light
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. firm — a company
  21. bulb — for light
  22. saw — the tool
  23. can — to be able to
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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