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. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  15. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  20. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  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. bat — in an idiom
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. march — the month
  4. press — to push
  5. pit — a hole
  6. press — newspapers
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. march — music
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. press — a publisher
  11. pass — a permit
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. pit — a fruit stone
  15. pit — in a race
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. bat — for baseball
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. march — the month
  20. bat — the animal
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. pass — to spend time
  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