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: stand · vault · lash · field · cabinet · lean · mouse · bear

  1. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  6. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. field — for sport
  2. vault — a safe
  3. field — a subject
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. lash — a whip stroke
  6. vault — in gymnastics
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. field — farmland
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. bear — the animal
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. bear — the animal
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. lean — thin
  22. stand — to bear
  23. lean — to bend
  24. mouse — the animal

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