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: stem · key · staff · kick · cabinet · foot · temple · cue

  1. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — a stick
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. staff — employees
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. stem — to come from
  7. foot — a measure
  8. kick — in football
  9. cue — a hint
  10. key — the most important part
  11. key — in music
  12. cue — for pool
  13. kick — with a leg
  14. key — for a lock
  15. stem — of a plant
  16. cue — a signal
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. staff — employees
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. kick — a thrill
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. temple — side of the head

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