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 ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  6. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  10. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. root — of a word
  3. lean — thin
  4. root — of a plant
  5. face — part of the head
  6. trunk — of an elephant
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. root — the cause
  9. face — to point toward
  10. trunk — of a tree
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. row — to paddle
  13. lean — to bend
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. suit — clothes
  16. row — a line
  17. suit — to fit
  18. row — a quarrel
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. face — to confront
  24. suit — in cards

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