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. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. My mare is ________________ in color.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  24. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — calm and waiting
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. bay — a horse colour
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. mug — to rob
  7. press — a publisher
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. can — to be able to
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. can — a tin
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. press — to push
  17. bay — to keep at bay
  18. mug — a face
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. mug — a cup
  21. can — a tin
  22. rush — hurry
  23. press — newspapers
  24. patient — a sick person

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