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: calf · last · bowl · lash · root · lean · pass · mouse

  1. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. False peace will not ________________.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. root — of a plant
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. pass — a permit
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. bowl — a dish
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. last — to go on
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. last — final
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. last — finally
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. root — of a word
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. lean — to bend
  22. root — the cause
  23. lean — thin
  24. mouse — the animal

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