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. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  9. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  16. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  22. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.

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

Answer key

  1. fall — to drop
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. root — of a plant
  4. pit — a hole
  5. suit — clothes
  6. suit — in cards
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. fall — to drop
  9. pit — a fruit stone
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. root — of a word
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. branch — of a bank
  16. root — the cause
  17. branch — a division
  18. toast — bread
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. pit — in a race
  22. fall — the season
  23. suit — to fit
  24. branch — of a tree

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