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 120 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: game · can · lash · ball · deal · lie · drill · coach

  1. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. That was a fun ________________.
  9. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. deal — to handle
  3. drill — a practice
  4. can — to be able to
  5. game — a kind of play
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. game — a match
  9. drill — army training
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. game — wild animals
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. drill — the tool
  14. lie — to recline
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. ball — a great time
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. can — a tin
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. can — a tin

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