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: rock · bass · kid · drill · lie · face · safe · rush

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  4. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  18. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. bass — the fish
  4. face — to point toward
  5. drill — army training
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  10. face — part of the head
  11. bass — low music
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. drill — a practice
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. kid — to tease
  18. face — to confront
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. lie — to recline
  21. drill — the tool
  22. rush — hurry
  23. rock — music
  24. kid — child

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