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: stem · key · rush · dip · mouse · fork · hide · pitcher

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. He is an ace ________________.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  9. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  20. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. pitcher — in baseball
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. dip — to sink
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. key — in music
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. stem — of a plant
  9. fork — in a road
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. key — the most important part
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. fork — a garden tool
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. key — for a lock
  18. rush — hurry
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. stem — to come from

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