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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. He works in a ________________ mill.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. key — the most important part
  7. saw — past of 'see'
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. saw — the tool
  10. saw — the tool
  11. rock — a stone
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. key — for a lock
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. arm — a part of something
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. branch — a division
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. plane — a tool
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. key — in music
  22. rock — music
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. nail — for a hammer

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