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: can · lie · craft · press · mug · cue · safe · deal

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. lie — to recline
  3. press — a publisher
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. deal — to handle
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. deal — a big deal
  8. can — a tin
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. cue — a hint
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. mug — a cup
  13. cue — for pool
  14. mug — to rob
  15. press — to push
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. can — to be able to
  18. craft — boats
  19. craft — a handicraft
  20. mug — a face
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. cue — a signal
  23. can — a tin
  24. craft — a skill

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