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: snap · charge · track · wave · root · date · press · rash

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  13. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. root — of a plant
  3. charge — a price
  4. snap — to snap out of it
  5. track — to keep track
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. track — a song
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. charge — in control
  11. root — the cause
  12. date — the fruit
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. rash — a series
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. track — a path
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. root — of a word
  19. charge — electricity
  20. rash — hasty
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. press — to push
  23. snap — to click
  24. press — a publisher

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