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 116 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 information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. saw — the tool
  3. can — a tin
  4. file — a line of people
  5. file — a tool
  6. pitch — completely
  7. cap — a lid
  8. saw — the tool
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. cap — of ice
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. cap — a hat
  15. mark — a trace
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. stick — to attach or keep to
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. can — a tin
  21. mark — a grade
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. can — to be able to

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