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: plane · current · date · fall · can · stem · root · suit

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  8. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  9. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  10. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. Have you settled on a ________________?
  15. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. current — happening now
  3. can — a tin
  4. fall — the season
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. fall — to drop
  9. fall — to drop
  10. date — the fruit
  11. suit — to fit
  12. current — electric
  13. root — the cause
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. stem — a stem cell
  16. root — of a plant
  17. current — of water
  18. root — of a word
  19. can — to be able to
  20. plane — a tool
  21. can — a tin
  22. suit — clothes
  23. stem — of a plant
  24. stem — to come from

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