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: bulb · key · cabinet · safe · jam · present · last · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. False peace will not ________________.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. last — to go on
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. last — finally
  5. present — the time now
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. last — final
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. key — the most important part
  11. key — in music
  12. present — a gift
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bulb — for light
  16. present — there
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. pass — a permit
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. key — for a lock
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. bulb — for light
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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