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: temple · mark · stand · key · fall · scale · cabinet · leaves

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. key — in music
  3. scale — in music
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. fall — to drop
  6. stand — to bear
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. key — the most important part
  9. mark — a trace
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. fall — the season
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. scale — size or range
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. key — for a lock
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. scale — for weighing
  20. mark — a grade
  21. fall — to drop
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. leaves — lets stay

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