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 120 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: temple · cap · calf · bound · cabinet · tube · press · rush

  1. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. I'll be taking the ________________.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  17. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — to hurry
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. press — newspapers
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. press — to push
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. tube — a container
  11. tube — the underground
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. cap — a lid
  14. press — a publisher
  15. bound — obliged
  16. cap — of ice
  17. cap — a hat
  18. rush — hurry
  19. bound — tied together
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. bound — certain
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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