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: root · ball · coach · bank · can · lash · wax · mouse

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. wax — for sculpting
  3. bank — for money
  4. root — the cause
  5. can — a tin
  6. wax — in the ear
  7. root — of a word
  8. can — to be able to
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. bank — of a river
  11. bank — for money
  12. root — of a plant
  13. wax — to grow
  14. can — a tin
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. ball — a great time
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. ball — a round shape
  24. ball — a dance

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