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: dip · safe · last · calf · rush · stand · press · rock

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  9. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. False peace will not ________________.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. dip — a sauce
  4. stand — to bear
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. last — final
  9. dip — to dunk
  10. press — a publisher
  11. rock — music
  12. last — finally
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. rush — hurry
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. press — newspapers
  17. last — to go on
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. rock — a stone
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. press — to push
  23. dip — to sink
  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