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: sharp · mine · board · spring · ball · safe · can · lie

  1. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. It's one o'clock ________________.
  10. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — the season
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. sharp — clever
  5. can — to be able to
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. sharp — exactly
  10. mine — for digging
  11. lie — to recline
  12. spring — of water
  13. can — a tin
  14. ball — a great time
  15. can — a tin
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. ball — a dance
  19. spring — a coil
  20. board — to get on
  21. mine — belonging to me
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. board — a committee

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