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 116 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. ball — a great time
  6. bound — obliged
  7. vault — in gymnastics
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. wave — of the sea
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. ball — a dance
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. bulb — for light
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. bound — certain
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. bulb — for light
  21. plane — a tool
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. bound — tied together
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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