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: pitch · cell · stem · calf · suit · charge · can · toast

  1. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  5. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. He was locked up in a ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. pitch — completely
  4. cell — in biology
  5. stem — to come from
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. can — to be able to
  8. toast — bread
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. charge — electricity
  12. charge — in control
  13. can — a tin
  14. can — a tin
  15. suit — in cards
  16. suit — to fit
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. suit — clothes
  19. cell — in a prison
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. charge — a price
  22. pitch — a sports field
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. cell — a phone

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