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: mine · mouse · court · key · mug · lash · pass · deal

  1. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  2. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. The ball is in your ________________.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. mine — an explosive
  2. court — of law
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. key — for a lock
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. mine — for digging
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. court — of a king
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. pass — a permit
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. mug — to rob
  16. key — in music
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. deal — to handle
  20. key — the most important part
  21. court — for sport
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. mug — a cup
  24. mug — a face

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