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 124 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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. That was a fun ________________.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. bound — certain
  3. key — in music
  4. bound — obliged
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. mark — a grade
  7. game — wild animals
  8. bulb — for light
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. game — a kind of play
  14. key — for a lock
  15. mark — a trace
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. bulb — for light
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. key — the most important part
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. game — a match
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. bound — tied together

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