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. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mine — belonging to me
  3. mug — a face
  4. mug — to rob
  5. key — in music
  6. wax — to grow
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mine — an explosive
  9. tube — a container
  10. mine — for digging
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. tube — the underground
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. key — the most important part
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. mug — a cup
  21. key — for a lock
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. pass — a permit
  24. ruler — a monarch

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