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: leaves · roll · nail · bound · bark · rock · mark · vault

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  20. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. mark — a trace
  3. mark — a grade
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. bound — certain
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. bark — a dog's sound
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. bound — obliged
  14. vault — a safe
  15. bound — tied together
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. roll — a cake
  20. bark — to shout
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. bark — of a tree
  23. rock — music
  24. roll — a list

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