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: vault · suit · rock · cabinet · staff · mark · bore · pitcher

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  23. He is an ace ________________.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. mark — a grade
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. suit — clothes
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. mark — a trace
  8. rock — a stone
  9. suit — to fit
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. vault — a safe
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. rock — music
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. bore — to drill
  17. staff — employees
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. staff — a stick
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. staff — employees
  22. vault — in gymnastics
  23. pitcher — in baseball
  24. bore — to tire

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