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: ball · bore · safe · hide · calf · vault · dip · spring

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  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. bore — to tire
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. spring — the season
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. vault — in gymnastics
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. ball — a dance
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. bore — to drill
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. dip — to sink
  18. spring — of water
  19. ball — a great time
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. spring — a coil
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. bore — gave birth
  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