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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  21. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. race — a contest
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. prune — to trim
  7. pass — a permit
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. plane — a tool
  10. prune — to trim
  11. current — of water
  12. perch — the fish
  13. press — a publisher
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. race — the arms race
  17. press — newspapers
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. prune — the fruit
  21. race — humankind
  22. press — to push
  23. current — happening now
  24. current — electric

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