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: foot · club · safe · file · jam · bound · leaves · deal

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  12. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. club — a group
  3. deal — to handle
  4. bound — obliged
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. club — for dancing
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. bound — certain
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. club — for golf
  12. file — a line of people
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. bound — tied together
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. foot — a measure
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. file — a tool
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. leaves — to go away

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