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: cabinet · wax · can · vault · coach · net · bass · plane

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. net — in sport
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. can — a tin
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. can — to be able to
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. wax — to grow
  14. net — for catching
  15. can — a tin
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. bass — the fish
  18. vault — in gymnastics
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. plane — a tool
  23. net — after costs
  24. bass — low music

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