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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: key · mouse · deal · bore · rock · lie · rush · suit

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. rock — music
  3. rock — a stone
  4. suit — to fit
  5. suit — clothes
  6. key — in music
  7. bore — to tire
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. lie — to recline
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. key — for a lock
  15. bore — to drill
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. suit — in cards
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. key — the most important part
  21. rush — hurry
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. deal — to handle
  24. lie — an untruth

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