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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. It's one o'clock ________________.
  19. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. press — to push
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. face — to confront
  5. lie — to recline
  6. key — for a lock
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. press — newspapers
  9. sharp — clever
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. stand — to bear
  12. rush — hurry
  13. key — the most important part
  14. sharp — with an edge
  15. face — part of the head
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. sharp — exactly
  19. face — to point toward
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. press — a publisher

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