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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. suit — to fit
  3. mug — to rob
  4. bass — low music
  5. suit — clothes
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. bass — the fish
  11. suit — in cards
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. trunk — of a car
  15. mug — a cup
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. stem — to come from
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. mug — a face

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