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. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  9. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Fill up this ________________ with water.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. band — a rubber band
  4. foot — a measure
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. root — the cause
  7. rash — a series
  8. band — a ring
  9. band — a music group
  10. suit — to fit
  11. root — of a plant
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. root — of a word
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. chip — for betting
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. suit — clothes
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. rash — hasty
  20. suit — in cards
  21. scale — size or range
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. chip — to eat
  24. pitcher — a jug

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