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: suit · key · lie · bass · chip · press · mine · foot

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. chip — for betting
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. foot — a measure
  6. key — in music
  7. press — newspapers
  8. key — the most important part
  9. press — to push
  10. suit — to fit
  11. mine — belonging to me
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. chip — to eat
  14. suit — in cards
  15. lie — to recline
  16. bass — the fish
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. bass — low music
  20. mine — an explosive
  21. key — for a lock
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. mine — for digging
  24. press — a publisher

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