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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bulb · firm · plane · drill · can · press · calf · mark

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. drill — army training
  3. press — a publisher
  4. mark — a grade
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. drill — the tool
  7. can — a tin
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. bulb — for light
  10. can — a tin
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. press — newspapers
  14. mark — a trace
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. bulb — for light
  18. firm — a company
  19. plane — a tool
  20. press — to push
  21. drill — a practice
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. firm — decided
  24. firm — steady

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