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 fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. press — newspapers
  5. object — an aim
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. rock — music
  9. bowl — to roll
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. rock — a stone
  12. object — to protest
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. sharp — clever
  16. press — a publisher
  17. bass — low music
  18. face — part of the head
  19. face — to point toward
  20. rush — hurry
  21. press — to push
  22. face — to confront
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. object — a thing

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