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 carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  12. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  24. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. straw — a straw man
  4. pass — a permit
  5. press — newspapers
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. press — a publisher
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. straw — dry grass
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. straw — to clutch at straws
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. foot — a measure
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. press — to push
  23. arm — a part of something
  24. plane — in geometry

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