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. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Don't do anything ________________.
  8. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. press — newspapers
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. press — to push
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. rash — hasty
  8. chip — for betting
  9. rush — hurry
  10. band — a rubber band
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. press — a publisher
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. band — a music group
  15. pass — a permit
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. chip — in a computer
  19. chip — to eat
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. band — a ring
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. rush — to hurry

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