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: charge · root · pass · cue · staff · pitcher · temple · cabinet

  1. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a signal
  2. charge — in control
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. root — of a plant
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. staff — employees
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. charge — a price
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. charge — electricity
  12. root — of a word
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. cue — for pool
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. pass — a permit
  20. cue — a hint
  21. staff — employees
  22. root — the cause
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. staff — a stick

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