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: toast · leaves · trunk · scale · pass · object · vault · nail

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  3. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  4. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  24. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. trunk — of a car
  3. nail — on a finger
  4. trunk — of an elephant
  5. scale — size or range
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. object — to protest
  8. toast — bread
  9. object — an aim
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. object — a thing
  15. pass — a permit
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. vault — in gymnastics
  24. vault — a safe

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