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 120 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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. False peace will not ________________.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. At ________________, we arrived at the village.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. current — happening now
  3. root — of a plant
  4. last — to go on
  5. season — in sport
  6. scale — in music
  7. last — final
  8. rash — a series
  9. season — of the year
  10. current — of water
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. rash — hasty
  13. root — of a word
  14. charge — a price
  15. scale — size or range
  16. charge — in control
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. charge — electricity
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. scale — for weighing
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. current — electric
  24. last — finally

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