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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. You don't need to ________________ round.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. deal — to handle
  4. perch — the fish
  5. root — the cause
  6. pop — soda
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. mug — a face
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. rash — hasty
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. mark — a grade
  13. rash — a series
  14. root — of a plant
  15. mug — to rob
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. mug — a cup
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. pop — music
  21. pop — to visit
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. root — of a word

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