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: nail · foot · bulb · safe · pass · ball · fan · suit

  1. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. suit — in cards
  4. bulb — for light
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. pass — a permit
  8. ball — a dance
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. foot — a measure
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. suit — clothes
  19. suit — to fit
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. bulb — for light
  24. foot — part of the body

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