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. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. season — of the year
  3. season — in sport
  4. mug — a face
  5. object — an aim
  6. object — a thing
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. bulb — for light
  12. bank — for money
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. object — to protest
  15. bank — of a river
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bank — for money
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. mug — a cup
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. branch — a division
  23. mug — to rob
  24. foot — a measure

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