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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. root — of a word
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. rest — what's left
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. face — part of the head
  9. foot — a measure
  10. track — a path
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. face — to confront
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. root — of a plant
  19. track — to keep track
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. track — a song
  22. face — to point toward
  23. rest — a break
  24. rest — what's left

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