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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  22. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. press — to push
  3. lie — to recline
  4. file — a document
  5. press — a publisher
  6. file — a tool
  7. firm — decided
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. firm — a company
  10. wound — past of 'wind'
  11. rush — hurry
  12. can — a tin
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. can — to be able to
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. can — a tin
  21. file — a line of people
  22. wound — an injury
  23. firm — steady
  24. wound — an injury

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