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 carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  24. Have you settled on a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. press — to push
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. press — newspapers
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. bowl — a dish
  10. key — the most important part
  11. pop — to visit
  12. key — in music
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. pop — soda
  15. date — the fruit
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. key — for a lock
  21. press — a publisher
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. pop — music
  24. date — on the calendar

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