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: lie · foot · stock · season · hide · mouse · lean · can

  1. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. The ________________ market has crashed.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. lie — to recline
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. lean — thin
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. can — to be able to
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. can — a tin
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. stock — goods
  19. foot — a measure
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. season — of the year
  22. stock — shares
  23. can — a tin
  24. lean — to bend

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