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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. I had a ________________ with my boss today.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. scale — in music
  4. saw — the tool
  5. row — to paddle
  6. row — a line
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. saw — the tool
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. branch — of a bank
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. plane — a tool
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. branch — a division
  18. toast — bread
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. scale — size or range
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. row — a quarrel

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