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: pitcher · field · mouse · bank · press · band · suit · calf

  1. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  22. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  23. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  24. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — of a river
  2. suit — in cards
  3. press — a publisher
  4. bank — for money
  5. suit — clothes
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. press — newspapers
  8. bank — for money
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. press — to push
  12. band — a music group
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. suit — to fit
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. band — a ring
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. field — farmland
  22. field — a subject
  23. band — a rubber band
  24. field — for sport

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