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. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. mug — a face
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. press — to push
  7. season — of the year
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. lie — to recline
  12. press — a publisher
  13. mug — to rob
  14. saw — the tool
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. pop — to visit
  17. press — newspapers
  18. saw — the tool
  19. perch — the fish
  20. pop — music
  21. mug — a cup
  22. pop — soda
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. lie — an untruth

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