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: vault · safe · current · pop · fan · spring · stick · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  4. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. We're almost out of ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. current — happening now
  3. spring — a coil
  4. spring — of water
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. pop — to visit
  8. current — of water
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. vault — a safe
  11. pop — music
  12. current — electric
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. spring — the season
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. vault — in gymnastics
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. pop — soda
  21. pass — a permit
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. safe — a strongbox

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