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: season · bulb · plane · net · safe · can · bore · snap

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. plane — a tool
  4. can — to be able to
  5. can — a tin
  6. bulb — for light
  7. net — in sport
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. net — after costs
  10. bore — to tire
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. season — in sport
  13. net — for catching
  14. snap — to snap out of it
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. snap — to speak sharply
  17. season — of the year
  18. snap — to click
  19. bulb — for light
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. can — a tin
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. bore — to drill
  24. plane — an aircraft

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