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

Word bank: press · bound · can · wound · leaves · mark · deal · rush

  1. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  20. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — obliged
  2. deal — to handle
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. can — to be able to
  5. rush — hurry
  6. press — to push
  7. can — a tin
  8. bound — certain
  9. press — newspapers
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. can — a tin
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. mark — a grade
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. wound — past of 'wind'
  16. mark — a trace
  17. press — a publisher
  18. bound — tied together
  19. wound — an injury
  20. wound — an injury
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. rush — to hurry

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