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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  3. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  4. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  10. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  13. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. cap — a lid
  3. cap — a hat
  4. pound — to hit hard
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. mug — a cup
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. charge — in control
  9. pound — for dogs
  10. pound — a weight
  11. charge — a price
  12. hand — part of the body
  13. hand — in cards
  14. mug — to rob
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. hand — help
  17. lie — to recline
  18. fine — all right
  19. cap — of ice
  20. charge — electricity
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. fine — high quality
  23. mug — a face
  24. fine — a penalty

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