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 120 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: pass · wake · bear · track · deal · bulb · pit · key

  1. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. track — to keep track
  2. key — in music
  3. bulb — for light
  4. deal — to handle
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. pit — a hole
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. track — a song
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. pass — a permit
  14. bulb — for light
  15. track — a path
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. bear — the animal
  19. wake — a trail
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. key — the most important part
  22. bear — the animal
  23. key — for a lock
  24. pit — in a race

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