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: vault · press · pass · bound · lie · ball · mug · dip

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. bound — obliged
  3. mug — to rob
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. mug — a face
  6. vault — in gymnastics
  7. lie — to recline
  8. ball — a great time
  9. press — newspapers
  10. bound — certain
  11. ball — a dance
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. bound — tied together
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. press — to push
  16. press — a publisher
  17. pass — a permit
  18. dip — to sink
  19. mug — a cup
  20. vault — a safe
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. vault — an arched ceiling
  24. pass — to spend 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