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: trunk · object · scale · fork · roll · can · perch · coach

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. We're on a ________________ here.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  22. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  23. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. object — a thing
  3. scale — size or range
  4. roll — a list
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. roll — on a roll
  7. roll — a cake
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. scale — in music
  11. can — to be able to
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. trunk — of a tree
  14. can — a tin
  15. object — an aim
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. fork — a garden tool
  18. can — a tin
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. perch — the fish
  22. fork — in a road
  23. fork — to eat with
  24. object — to protest

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