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 · bound · suit · fine · rest · hide · bay · vault

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. mug — a cup
  5. mug — to rob
  6. fine — high quality
  7. suit — clothes
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. fine — all right
  10. rest — what's left
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. suit — in cards
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. bound — certain
  15. rest — what's left
  16. rest — a break
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. mug — a face
  19. vault — a safe
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. suit — to fit
  23. bound — obliged
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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