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 120 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: foot · mate · rush · rest · scale · swing · branch · current

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. David sat on the ________________.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  16. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  17. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. current — of water
  4. rest — what's left
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. branch — a division
  8. current — electric
  9. rest — what's left
  10. scale — size or range
  11. swing — to play on
  12. current — happening now
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. mate — a partner
  15. swing — music
  16. branch — of a tree
  17. mate — a friend
  18. mate — to breed
  19. rush — hurry
  20. swing — in golf
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. scale — in music
  23. rest — a break
  24. foot — a measure

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