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: mouse · prune · fork · bay · cue · suit · root · bound

  1. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  15. That was ________________ to happen.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — to trim
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. fork — in a road
  4. bound — obliged
  5. root — of a plant
  6. root — of a word
  7. cue — for pool
  8. root — the cause
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. cue — a signal
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. suit — to fit
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. fork — a garden tool
  15. bound — certain
  16. cue — a hint
  17. suit — clothes
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. prune — to trim
  22. bound — tied together
  23. suit — in cards
  24. fork — to eat with

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