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 116 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: season · rash · lie · branch · bore · track · stem · suit

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. Don't do anything ________________.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. season — in sport
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. rash — hasty
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. track — a song
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. rash — a series
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. track — a path
  11. track — to keep track
  12. branch — of a tree
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. lie — to recline
  15. suit — clothes
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. season — of the year
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. suit — in cards
  21. branch — a division
  22. bore — to tire
  23. suit — to fit
  24. stem — to come from

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