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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  12. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. staff — employees
  4. suit — to fit
  5. branch — a division
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. shower — rain
  8. suit — clothes
  9. stock — shares
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. shower — to wash
  12. stock — a soup base
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. suit — in cards
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. shower — a meteor shower
  18. staff — employees
  19. branch — of a bank
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. stock — goods
  23. staff — a stick
  24. lash — an eyelash

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