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: rash · mark · safe · file · chip · bulb · bore · staff

  1. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Don't do anything ________________.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. rash — a series
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. bore — to tire
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. staff — employees
  8. file — a document
  9. staff — a stick
  10. chip — to eat
  11. mark — a grade
  12. chip — for betting
  13. bore — gave birth
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. file — a line of people
  16. mark — a trace
  17. rash — hasty
  18. staff — employees
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bore — to drill
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. bulb — for light

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