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: sharp · press · rock · leaves · bulb · firm · mine · root

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  15. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  16. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. It's one o'clock ________________.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. press — to push
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. root — of a plant
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. root — the cause
  8. press — newspapers
  9. rock — music
  10. firm — a company
  11. mine — belonging to me
  12. press — a publisher
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. sharp — with an edge
  15. sharp — clever
  16. firm — steady
  17. rock — a stone
  18. firm — decided
  19. mine — an explosive
  20. mine — for digging
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bulb — for light
  23. sharp — exactly
  24. root — of a word

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