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: file · rush · temple · suit · safe · track · bulb · pit

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. suit — to fit
  5. file — a tool
  6. suit — in cards
  7. file — a document
  8. track — a path
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — for light
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. rush — hurry
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. pit — a fruit stone
  15. suit — clothes
  16. file — a line of people
  17. pit — in a race
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. track — to keep track
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. pit — a hole

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