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. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. The ________________ went through the wall.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. wake — a trail
  3. cue — for pool
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. branch — a division
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. wake — before a funeral
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. firm — steady
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. stem — to come from
  19. branch — of a bank
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. cue — a signal
  22. firm — a company
  23. cue — a hint
  24. stem — a stem cell

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