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: rest · stem · fan · mark · safe · drill · mug · lash

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  17. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  20. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. stem — of a plant
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. mark — a grade
  8. drill — the tool
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. mug — a cup
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. mug — a face
  13. mug — to rob
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. drill — a practice
  17. stem — to come from
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. rest — a break
  20. drill — army training
  21. rest — what's left
  22. rest — what's left
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. lash — to lash out

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