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: lash · pop · wave · patient · pass · temple · press · lie

  1. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  9. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. We're almost out of ________________.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. pop — to visit
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. press — to push
  5. wave — with your hand
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. press — newspapers
  8. pop — music
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. pass — a permit
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. press — a publisher
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. pop — soda
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. lie — to recline
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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