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 · mark · tube · toast · bear · mate · press · root

  1. I'll be taking the ________________.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Have you settled on a ________________?
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — the underground
  2. root — of a plant
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. bear — the animal
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. bear — the animal
  7. mate — a friend
  8. date — the fruit
  9. root — the cause
  10. press — newspapers
  11. press — to push
  12. press — a publisher
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. root — of a word
  15. tube — in a tire
  16. mark — a trace
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. toast — bread
  19. tube — a container
  20. mate — a partner
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. date — on the calendar
  23. mark — a grade
  24. mate — to breed

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