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: cue · saw · cabinet · firm · prune · arm · deal · patient

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. My father caught me by the ________________.
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. A ________________ is just a dried plum.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. firm — decided
  3. saw — the tool
  4. cue — a signal
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. prune — to trim
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. prune — to trim
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. cue — for pool
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. arm — a part of something
  16. saw — the tool
  17. firm — steady
  18. cue — a hint
  19. deal — to handle
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. firm — a company
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. prune — the fruit

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