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 · mouse · lean · arm · bore · lash · rock · perch

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. My father caught me by the ________________.
  23. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  24. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. bore — to drill
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. mug — a cup
  8. bore — to tire
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mug — a face
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. lean — to bend
  13. mug — to rob
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. lean — thin
  17. lash — an eyelash
  18. rock — a stone
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. rock — music
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. perch — the fish
  24. arm — a part of something

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