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: leaves · scale · cabinet · tube · can · lash · calf · mouse

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. I'll be taking the ________________.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. can — to be able to
  3. scale — in music
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. can — a tin
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. tube — in a tire
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. can — a tin
  20. tube — a container
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. tube — the underground
  23. scale — size or range
  24. mouse — for a computer

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