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. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  15. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. shower — rain
  3. root — the cause
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. wave — of the sea
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. shower — a meteor shower
  9. ball — a great time
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. patient — calm and waiting
  13. root — of a word
  14. wave — with your hand
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. ball — a dance
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. shower — to wash
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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