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 120 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.
Multiple-Meaning Words
Name: ____________________Date: __________
Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.
- She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
- Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
- The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
- I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
- Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
- The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
- Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
- Can you turn the ________________ on?
- Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
- The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
- Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
- Have you met the new head ________________?
- The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
- I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
- A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
- I can't ________________ this cold.
- Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
- The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com
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