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: safe · plane · sharp · lie · file · pass · press · fine

  1. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  2. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — clever
  2. file — a tool
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. press — newspapers
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. plane — a tool
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. press — a publisher
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. file — a document
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. press — to push
  15. pass — a permit
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. lie — to recline
  18. file — a line of people
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. sharp — with an edge
  21. fine — all right
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. fine — high quality

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