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 120 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: ball · can · game · suit · lash · spring · trunk · mouse

  1. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. That was a fun ________________.
  12. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  13. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  16. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. spring — the season
  6. suit — in cards
  7. can — a tin
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. can — a tin
  10. ball — a dance
  11. game — a match
  12. spring — of water
  13. spring — a coil
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. game — wild animals
  16. trunk — of an elephant
  17. suit — clothes
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. game — a kind of play
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. ball — a great time
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. can — to be able to
  24. suit — to fit

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