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: can · fine · chest · cap · stock · vault · mark · bound

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  21. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  22. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. chest — a box
  3. bound — tied together
  4. can — to be able to
  5. stock — goods
  6. chest — of your body
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. mark — a grade
  9. can — a tin
  10. bound — certain
  11. bound — obliged
  12. cap — of ice
  13. cap — a lid
  14. mark — a trace
  15. fine — all right
  16. fine — high quality
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. vault — a safe
  20. vault — in gymnastics
  21. chest — of your body
  22. cap — a hat
  23. stock — shares
  24. vault — an arched ceiling

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