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 are ________________ to obey laws.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  10. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — obliged
  2. file — a document
  3. press — to push
  4. file — a tool
  5. cap — a lid
  6. cue — for pool
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. mark — a grade
  9. cap — of ice
  10. file — a line of people
  11. bound — certain
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. bound — tied together
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. cue — a hint
  17. cap — a hat
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. press — newspapers
  20. press — a publisher
  21. mark — a trace
  22. cue — a signal
  23. foot — a measure
  24. mark — to pay attention

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