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: bound · mark · deal · root · arm · cabinet · stick · fan

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. My father caught me by the ________________.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. deal — to handle
  3. bound — certain
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. root — of a plant
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. mark — a trace
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. bound — obliged
  11. root — the cause
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. mark — a grade
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. bound — tied together
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. arm — a part of something
  23. root — of a word
  24. deal — an agreement

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