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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. False peace will not ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  22. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. straw — to clutch at straws
  3. mark — a trace
  4. root — of a word
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. straw — dry grass
  7. root — the cause
  8. straw — a straw man
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. last — to go on
  12. can — a tin
  13. root — of a plant
  14. last — finally
  15. can — to be able to
  16. toast — bread
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. rock — a stone
  19. prune — to trim
  20. mark — a grade
  21. prune — to trim
  22. last — final
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. rock — music

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