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 116 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: stand · last · lash · tube · lie · press · track · rock

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. False peace will not ________________.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. track — a path
  3. last — to go on
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. tube — a container
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. press — to push
  9. press — a publisher
  10. tube — the underground
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. rock — a stone
  13. last — finally
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. lie — to recline
  16. press — newspapers
  17. stand — to bear
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. track — to keep track
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. last — final
  23. rock — music
  24. lash — an eyelash

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