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. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. It's one o'clock ________________.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. sharp — exactly
  3. key — the most important part
  4. season — of the year
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. can — a tin
  7. press — a publisher
  8. current — of water
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. sharp — clever
  11. key — in music
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. key — for a lock
  14. can — a tin
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. current — electric
  17. press — newspapers
  18. suit — to fit
  19. can — to be able to
  20. current — happening now
  21. sharp — with an edge
  22. suit — clothes
  23. press — to push
  24. suit — in cards

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