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. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. That was a fun ________________.
  7. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. Did you ________________ the button?

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. stem — of a plant
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. game — a match
  7. craft — a skill
  8. season — in sport
  9. game — a kind of play
  10. craft — boats
  11. tube — a container
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. craft — a handicraft
  15. press — a publisher
  16. stem — to come from
  17. game — wild animals
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. tube — the underground
  20. deal — to handle
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. season — of the year
  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