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: file · branch · fan · mug · snap · cue · pop · rest

  1. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. file — a document
  3. mug — a cup
  4. rest — what's left
  5. pop — to visit
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. mug — to rob
  8. branch — of a bank
  9. cue — a signal
  10. pop — music
  11. snap — to snap out of it
  12. cue — a hint
  13. branch — a division
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. branch — of a tree
  16. file — a line of people
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. cue — for pool
  19. pop — soda
  20. mug — a face
  21. snap — to click
  22. rest — a break
  23. file — a tool
  24. fan — to cool the air

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