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 116 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. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. It's one o'clock ________________.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. branch — a division
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. suit — clothes
  8. root — of a word
  9. sharp — exactly
  10. sharp — clever
  11. chair — to sit on
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. root — the cause
  14. deal — to handle
  15. suit — to fit
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. root — of a plant
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. chair — a leader
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. suit — in cards
  24. chair — a professorship

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