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. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — a weight
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. root — the cause
  4. pound — to hit hard
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. root — of a plant
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. tube — the underground
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. root — of a word
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. tube — a container
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. pound — for dogs
  24. fan — a supporter

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