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: chest · vault · pit · file · tube · arm · ruler · key

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. My father caught me by the ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  9. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  10. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  11. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  12. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  13. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. pit — a hole
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. vault — a safe
  7. key — in music
  8. tube — a container
  9. chest — a box
  10. pit — in a race
  11. chest — of your body
  12. arm — a part of something
  13. file — a tool
  14. key — for a lock
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. file — a document
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. file — a line of people
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. key — the most important part
  22. chest — of your body
  23. tube — the underground
  24. tube — in a 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