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: drill · temple · safe · net · cap · perch · leaves · cabinet

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  18. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. cap — of ice
  3. drill — the tool
  4. drill — a practice
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. net — after costs
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. cap — a lid
  14. cap — a hat
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. perch — the fish
  17. net — in sport
  18. net — for catching
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. drill — army training

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