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 124 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. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  7. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  8. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. David sat on the ________________.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. press — newspapers
  3. bulb — for light
  4. drill — a practice
  5. press — a publisher
  6. trunk — of a tree
  7. swing — in golf
  8. trunk — of an elephant
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. drill — army training
  11. press — to push
  12. swing — music
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. object — a thing
  15. drill — the tool
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. object — to protest
  20. bulb — for light
  21. swing — to play on
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. rush — hurry
  24. bulb — of a plant

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