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 116 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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  8. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  9. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  10. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. rest — what's left
  3. root — of a word
  4. rest — what's left
  5. prune — to trim
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. rest — a break
  8. wake — before a funeral
  9. chair — a professorship
  10. wake — a trail
  11. can — a tin
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. root — the cause
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. chair — to sit on
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. can — to be able to
  18. root — of a plant
  19. can — a tin
  20. prune — to trim
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. lie — to recline
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. chair — a leader

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