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: bay · rock · suit · foot · drill · stand · lie · nail

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  24. We had a fire ________________ at school today.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. rock — music
  4. foot — a measure
  5. drill — army training
  6. suit — clothes
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. suit — to fit
  12. stand — to bear
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. suit — in cards
  17. rock — a stone
  18. lie — to recline
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. drill — the tool
  24. drill — a practice

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