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. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  9. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. press — newspapers
  3. kick — a thrill
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. march — the month
  6. press — to push
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. kick — in football
  9. march — the month
  10. press — a publisher
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. suit — in cards
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. march — music
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. suit — to fit
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. suit — clothes
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. kick — with a leg

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