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: suit · mouse · roll · scale · present · cabinet · mark · pitch

  1. What do you think of the new ________________?
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  8. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  9. We're on a ________________ here.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. roll — a cake
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. mark — a trace
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. present — a gift
  8. present — the time now
  9. roll — on a roll
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. suit — in cards
  12. pitch — completely
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. present — there
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. scale — in music
  18. suit — to fit
  19. suit — clothes
  20. pitch — a sales talk
  21. mark — a grade
  22. scale — size or range
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. roll — a list

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