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: branch · fan · stem · pass · stock · tube · file · leaves

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. The ________________ market has crashed.
  8. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. stock — goods
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. tube — the underground
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. stock — shares
  8. file — a document
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. file — a line of people
  14. pass — a permit
  15. file — a tool
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. stock — a soup base
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. tube — in a tire
  21. branch — a division
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. stem — to come from
  24. tube — a container

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