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: jam · staff · bulb · firm · suit · mine · cabinet · plane

  1. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  21. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  22. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. bulb — for light
  4. suit — in cards
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. suit — to fit
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. bulb — for light
  9. firm — decided
  10. staff — employees
  11. staff — employees
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. mine — for digging
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. staff — a stick
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. firm — steady
  20. mine — an explosive
  21. plane — a tool
  22. mine — belonging to me
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. suit — clothes

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