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. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. He was locked up in a ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!

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

Answer key

  1. cell — in biology
  2. root — the cause
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. board — to get on
  5. bark — to shout
  6. can — a tin
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. rush — hurry
  12. board — a committee
  13. root — of a plant
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. bark — of a tree
  16. can — a tin
  17. bark — a dog's sound
  18. root — of a word
  19. can — to be able to
  20. cell — in a prison
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. cell — a phone

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