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 116 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 had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. root — of a word
  3. mug — a cup
  4. rock — a stone
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. row — a line
  8. mug — to rob
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. row — a quarrel
  11. stand — to bear
  12. wake — a trail
  13. rush — hurry
  14. rock — music
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. mug — a face
  18. root — the cause
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. root — of a plant
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. wake — before a funeral
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. wake — to stop sleeping

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