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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. stem — of a plant
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. can — a tin
  5. squash — to crush
  6. can — a tin
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. stem — to come from
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. foot — a measure
  14. squash — the sport
  15. can — to be able to
  16. charge — electricity
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. squash — the vegetable
  23. charge — a price
  24. stem — a stem cell

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