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 120 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: drill · dip · bowl · can · cabinet · ball · bound · rush

  1. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — obliged
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. dip — to sink
  5. rush — hurry
  6. ball — a great time
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. drill — army training
  9. drill — a practice
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. bound — tied together
  12. drill — the tool
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. can — to be able to
  17. ball — a dance
  18. bound — certain
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. can — a tin
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. can — a tin
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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