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: pop · staff · vault · board · kick · spell · safe · roll

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. We're on a ________________ here.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. We're almost out of ________________.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. kick — with a leg
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. kick — a thrill
  6. board — a committee
  7. roll — on a roll
  8. staff — a stick
  9. roll — a list
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. kick — in football
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. vault — a safe
  14. spell — letters
  15. spell — magic
  16. pop — to visit
  17. pop — soda
  18. staff — employees
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. pop — music
  21. roll — a cake
  22. board — to get on
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. staff — employees

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