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: chip · rock · fine · pass · fan · field · press · lash

  1. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. field — for sport
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. field — farmland
  6. press — a publisher
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. fine — high quality
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. pass — a permit
  15. press — to push
  16. press — newspapers
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. rock — a stone
  19. fine — all right
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. chip — for betting
  23. rock — music
  24. field — a subject

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