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 116 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  21. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. craft — boats
  5. suit — to fit
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. suit — in cards
  8. rush — hurry
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. mark — a grade
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. suit — clothes
  16. mark — a trace
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. craft — a handicraft
  21. rash — a series
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. craft — a skill
  24. rash — hasty

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