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: safe · spell · fine · stem · jam · ruler · trunk · racket

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  3. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. How do you ________________ your surname?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. stem — of a plant
  4. spell — a short time
  5. spell — magic
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. stem — a stem cell
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. trunk — of a car
  15. fine — high quality
  16. stem — to come from
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. trunk — of an elephant
  19. fine — all right
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. trunk — of a tree
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. spell — letters

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