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: firm · bore · mate · fan · bound · mark · bulb · key

  1. Have you found your soul ________________?
  2. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a partner
  2. bore — to drill
  3. mark — a trace
  4. firm — a company
  5. bound — certain
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. mate — a friend
  10. bound — tied together
  11. firm — decided
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. key — the most important part
  16. bore — to tire
  17. mark — a grade
  18. key — for a lock
  19. firm — steady
  20. bound — obliged
  21. key — in music
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. bulb — for light
  24. mate — to breed

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