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: toast · pass · roll · racket · bulb · wound · vault · can

  1. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  9. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  13. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  14. We're on a ________________ here.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. vault — a safe
  2. bulb — for light
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. toast — a drink to someone
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. roll — a cake
  9. wound — an injury
  10. can — a tin
  11. can — to be able to
  12. wound — past of 'wind'
  13. wound — an injury
  14. roll — on a roll
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. roll — a list
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. can — a tin
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. bulb — for light
  22. pass — a permit
  23. vault — in gymnastics
  24. toast — bread

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