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: date · lash · suit · branch · bore · chip · mug · racket

  1. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Have you settled on a ________________?
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. bore — to tire
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. suit — to fit
  5. mug — a cup
  6. branch — a division
  7. mug — to rob
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. date — on the calendar
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. chip — for betting
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. chip — to eat
  16. suit — clothes
  17. mug — a face
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. branch — of a bank
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. branch — of a tree
  22. bore — to drill
  23. suit — in cards
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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