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 116 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 · pass · safe · rock · club · rest · leaves · mate

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. Have you found your soul ________________?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. bulb — for light
  3. rest — a break
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. mate — a friend
  6. mate — a partner
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. rest — what's left
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. club — for dancing
  13. rock — a stone
  14. mate — to breed
  15. club — for golf
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. club — a group
  18. rest — what's left
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. pass — a permit
  22. bulb — for light
  23. rock — music
  24. rock — to move gently

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