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 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.

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. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  4. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  5. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  6. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. The ball is in your ________________.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. press — newspapers
  3. hand — part of the body
  4. court — of a king
  5. court — of law
  6. hand — help
  7. bore — to tire
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. bore — to drill
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. board — a committee
  12. net — in sport
  13. board — to get on
  14. hand — in cards
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. net — for catching
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. rock — music
  19. rock — a stone
  20. press — a publisher
  21. court — for sport
  22. net — after costs
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. press — to push

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