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: rock · mouse · key · trunk · roll · stem · chip · kick

  1. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  4. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  9. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  10. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  16. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. rock — a stone
  3. kick — with a leg
  4. trunk — of a tree
  5. chip — for betting
  6. stem — to come from
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. stem — a stem cell
  9. stem — of a plant
  10. chip — in a computer
  11. key — the most important part
  12. key — for a lock
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. rock — music
  15. roll — a list
  16. trunk — of an elephant
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. kick — a thrill
  19. key — in music
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. chip — to eat
  22. roll — a cake
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. kick — in football

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