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: foot · lash · roll · safe · bulb · lie · firm · board

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. roll — a list
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. firm — decided
  9. bulb — for light
  10. board — a committee
  11. firm — steady
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. firm — a company
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. board — to get on
  18. lie — to recline
  19. bulb — for light
  20. foot — a measure
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. roll — a cake

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