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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. The ________________ market has crashed.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. stock — shares
  3. press — a publisher
  4. stock — goods
  5. mug — to rob
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. key — in music
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. key — for a lock
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. stock — a soup base
  13. rush — hurry
  14. press — newspapers
  15. mug — a cup
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. press — to push
  18. current — electric
  19. branch — a division
  20. plane — a tool
  21. current — of water
  22. current — happening now
  23. key — the most important part
  24. plane — in geometry

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