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: mug · cabinet · temple · jam · can · shower · perch · kick

  1. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  22. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — a meteor shower
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. shower — rain
  6. perch — the fish
  7. can — a tin
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. can — to be able to
  11. mug — to rob
  12. kick — with a leg
  13. can — a tin
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. mug — a cup
  17. mug — a face
  18. kick — in football
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. shower — to wash
  22. kick — a thrill
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. perch — for a bird

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