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. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. tube — a container
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. bulb — for light
  5. branch — a division
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. fork — in a road
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. fork — to eat with
  15. bound — tied together
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. bulb — for light
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. tube — the underground
  21. bound — certain
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. bound — obliged

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