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. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. Did you ________________ the button?
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  22. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  23. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. current — happening now
  4. hand — in cards
  5. press — newspapers
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. current — electric
  10. degree — temperature
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. press — to push
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. foot — a measure
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. degree — an amount
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. press — a publisher
  21. hand — part of the body
  22. degree — from a university
  23. hand — help
  24. current — of water

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