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 big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. stem — to come from
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. rock — a stone
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. rock — music
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. stick — to attach or keep to
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. pit — a hole
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. pit — in a race
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. leaves — lets stay

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