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: sharp · suit · lie · pass · bay · ruler · pit · pop

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. pop — soda
  4. sharp — with an edge
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. pass — a permit
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. suit — clothes
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. sharp — clever
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. lie — to recline
  19. pop — to visit
  20. pit — a hole
  21. pit — in a race
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. suit — to fit
  24. pop — music

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