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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  4. The King held a masked ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Have you found your soul ________________?
  7. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  8. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  9. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  24. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. file — a tool
  4. ball — a dance
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. mate — a partner
  7. hand — part of the body
  8. hand — help
  9. dip — to dunk
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. mate — to breed
  13. bank — for money
  14. file — a line of people
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. bank — for money
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. pass — a permit
  20. bank — of a river
  21. mate — a friend
  22. ball — a great time
  23. hand — in cards
  24. dip — to sink

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