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 · mug · scale · ball · key · toast · temple · bark

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  20. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  21. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. vault — in gymnastics
  3. ball — a dance
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. key — the most important part
  6. toast — bread
  7. mug — a cup
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. key — in music
  10. bark — of a tree
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. vault — an arched ceiling
  13. ball — a great time
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. vault — a safe
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. key — for a lock
  18. mug — to rob
  19. bark — a dog's sound
  20. scale — for weighing
  21. bark — to shout
  22. scale — size or range
  23. mug — a face
  24. toast — the most admired

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