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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. press — newspapers
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. rock — music
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. hand — in cards
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. press — to push
  15. hand — help
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. rock — a stone
  18. dip — to sink
  19. press — a publisher
  20. pit — a hole
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. pit — in a race
  23. foot — a measure
  24. hand — part of the body

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