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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. track — to keep track
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. bound — tied together
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. bound — certain
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. branch — a division
  14. stand — to bear
  15. wax — to grow
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. wax — for sculpting
  18. bulb — for light
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. bound — obliged
  21. track — a song
  22. bulb — for light
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. track — a path

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