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: dip · root · prune · board · key · stick · face · leaves

  1. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. face — to point toward
  3. root — the cause
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. root — of a plant
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. key — for a lock
  9. prune — to trim
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. face — part of the head
  13. root — of a word
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. board — a committee
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. key — in music
  19. dip — to sink
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. board — to get on
  22. key — the most important part
  23. prune — to trim
  24. face — to confront

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