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: file · suit · lash · club · rush · cabinet · lie · mark

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. lie — to recline
  3. suit — to fit
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. club — for golf
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. mark — a trace
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. file — a document
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. club — for dancing
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. club — a group
  17. mark — a grade
  18. file — a tool
  19. rush — hurry
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. file — a line of people
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. suit — clothes
  24. suit — in cards

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