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: lie · row · root · pass · suit · season · arm · temple

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. suit — to fit
  3. root — of a word
  4. root — the cause
  5. root — of a plant
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. suit — clothes
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. pass — a permit
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. row — to paddle
  15. lie — to recline
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. season — of the year
  21. season — in sport
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. row — a quarrel
  24. row — a line

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