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: cabinet · bulb · stand · foot · bat · can · pop · leaves

  1. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  5. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. We're almost out of ________________.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. bat — in an idiom
  2. can — a tin
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. bat — the animal
  5. bat — for baseball
  6. bulb — for light
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. pop — music
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. can — to be able to
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. foot — a measure
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. bulb — for light
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. stand — to bear
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. pop — to visit
  23. pop — soda
  24. can — a tin

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