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 ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  17. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  18. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. bound — tied together
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. rest — what's left
  5. pop — to visit
  6. root — the cause
  7. pop — soda
  8. bulb — for light
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. bound — certain
  11. bound — obliged
  12. track — a path
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. bulb — for light
  15. track — a song
  16. pitch — completely
  17. wave — a sudden rise
  18. pitch — a sales talk
  19. pop — music
  20. rest — what's left
  21. track — to keep track
  22. wave — with your hand
  23. root — of a plant
  24. rest — a break

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