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. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  21. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. press — a publisher
  2. object — a thing
  3. can — a tin
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. can — to be able to
  6. key — the most important part
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. key — in music
  9. press — to push
  10. can — a tin
  11. press — newspapers
  12. rash — a series
  13. object — to protest
  14. object — an aim
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. key — for a lock
  17. pass — a permit
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. cap — of ice
  21. cap — a lid
  22. rash — hasty
  23. cap — a hat
  24. pass — to succeed

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