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. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. can — a tin
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. can — to be able to
  5. mine — belonging to me
  6. suit — clothes
  7. key — in music
  8. can — a tin
  9. key — for a lock
  10. bank — for money
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. mine — an explosive
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bank — for money
  15. bulb — for light
  16. suit — in cards
  17. ball — a great time
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. mine — for digging
  20. bank — of a river
  21. lie — to recline
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. ball — a dance
  24. suit — to fit

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