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

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  5. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  14. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  15. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  16. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  17. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. file — a document
  3. root — of a plant
  4. straw — a straw man
  5. file — a line of people
  6. cue — for pool
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. cue — a hint
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. root — of a word
  13. degree — temperature
  14. straw — to clutch at straws
  15. file — a tool
  16. straw — dry grass
  17. degree — from a university
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. stand — to bear
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. cue — a signal
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. degree — an amount

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