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: pitcher · pass · bark · root · foot · deal · bank · nail

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. bank — for money
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. deal — to handle
  5. root — of a plant
  6. foot — a measure
  7. bark — a dog's sound
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. root — of a word
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. bark — of a tree
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. pass — a permit
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. bank — for money
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. bark — to shout
  22. bank — of a river
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. nail — on a finger

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