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: charge · fork · root · nail · race · hand · temple · cabinet

  1. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  4. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  18. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.

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

Answer key

  1. race — the arms race
  2. root — of a plant
  3. fork — a garden tool
  4. race — humankind
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. charge — electricity
  7. hand — in cards
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. root — the cause
  12. hand — help
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. charge — a price
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. hand — part of the body
  18. race — a contest
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. charge — in control
  21. root — of a word
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. fork — in a road

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