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: bound · rest · nail · rash · leaves · lie · firm · bowl

  1. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. firm — decided
  4. bound — certain
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. rest — what's left
  7. lie — to recline
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. bowl — a dish
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. firm — steady
  14. firm — a company
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. rest — a break
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. bound — tied together
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. bound — obliged
  23. rash — a series
  24. rash — hasty

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