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 124 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 elephant has a huge ________________.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of an elephant
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. mug — to rob
  4. current — electric
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. mug — a face
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. board — to get on
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. root — of a plant
  11. current — of water
  12. trunk — of a car
  13. root — of a word
  14. key — for a lock
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. current — happening now
  18. key — in music
  19. board — a committee
  20. trunk — of a tree
  21. key — the most important part
  22. mug — a cup
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. root — the cause

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