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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. spell — magic
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. can — a tin
  7. spell — letters
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. cue — for pool
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. spell — a short time
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. can — a tin
  15. chip — to eat
  16. can — to be able to
  17. mark — a grade
  18. cue — a hint
  19. wax — for sculpting
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. mark — a trace
  22. cue — a signal
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. wax — to grow

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