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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: leaves · branch · jam · temple · stick · patient

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. branch — a division
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. stick — to attach or keep to
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. leaves — to go away

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