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. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. wax — to grow
  4. object — a thing
  5. drill — a practice
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. staff — a stick
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. drill — army training
  12. mug — to rob
  13. rush — hurry
  14. wax — in the ear
  15. drill — the tool
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. lie — to recline
  18. mug — a face
  19. object — an aim
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. staff — employees
  22. object — to protest
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. mug — a cup

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