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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  5. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. clip — for paper
  5. perch — the fish
  6. spell — letters
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. clip — a video
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mark — a trace
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. mark — a grade
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. mate — a friend
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. mate — a partner
  18. mate — to breed
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. clip — to cut
  21. spell — a short time
  22. spell — magic
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. mouse — the animal

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