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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  16. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  22. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. press — newspapers
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. pass — a permit
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. roll — a cake
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. roll — a list
  16. content — happy
  17. board — a committee
  18. bulb — for light
  19. press — to push
  20. bulb — for light
  21. content — the amount
  22. content — videos and posts
  23. press — a publisher
  24. board — to get on

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