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 116 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: fine · swing · lash · stand · rest · net · dip · mark

  1. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  8. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. David sat on the ________________.
  19. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. mark — a grade
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. rest — a break
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. net — for catching
  7. rest — what's left
  8. rest — what's left
  9. net — after costs
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. fine — all right
  13. stand — to bear
  14. swing — in golf
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. swing — to play on
  19. swing — music
  20. dip — to sink
  21. mark — a trace
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. fine — high quality
  24. stand — for spectators

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