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 · scale · bore · cabinet · suit · wave · can · prune

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  6. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  7. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  16. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. can — a tin
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. drill — the tool
  6. prune — the fruit
  7. prune — to trim
  8. bore — to tire
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. can — a tin
  11. suit — to fit
  12. prune — to trim
  13. can — to be able to
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. scale — size or range
  16. drill — army training
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. suit — clothes
  19. wave — with your hand
  20. bore — to drill
  21. suit — in cards
  22. drill — a practice
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. cabinet — ministers

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