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 120 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: safe · suit · foot · file · chip · bass · bay · can

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  18. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  23. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. file — a line of people
  6. foot — a measure
  7. bass — low music
  8. can — a tin
  9. can — a tin
  10. chip — for betting
  11. bass — the fish
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. suit — clothes
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. can — to be able to
  17. file — a tool
  18. chip — in a computer
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. suit — to fit
  22. file — a document
  23. chip — to eat
  24. suit — in cards

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