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: key · safe · cell · leaves · spell · ball · bowl · cabinet

  1. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  14. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. He was locked up in a ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. bowl — a dish
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. ball — a dance
  8. key — in music
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. key — the most important part
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. spell — letters
  13. cell — in biology
  14. cell — a phone
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. key — for a lock
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. spell — a short time
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. cell — in a prison
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. ball — a great time

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