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. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  2. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. She's very handy with a ________________.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — a signal
  2. wax — in the ear
  3. wax — to grow
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. saw — the tool
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. suit — in cards
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. saw — the tool
  10. perch — the fish
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. cue — a hint
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. cue — for pool
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. suit — clothes
  21. suit — to fit
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. wax — for sculpting

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