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 116 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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. Don't do anything ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  16. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  20. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. rash — hasty
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. face — to point toward
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. craft — a skill
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. face — to confront
  15. wax — in the ear
  16. wave — of the sea
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. face — part of the head
  19. craft — boats
  20. wax — to grow
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. rash — a series
  24. safe — out of danger

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