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 from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: suit · march · wax · mouse · safe · deal · chip · key

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. chip — for betting
  3. chip — to eat
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. deal — to handle
  6. suit — to fit
  7. wax — to grow
  8. march — the month
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. march — music
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. suit — in cards
  17. march — the month
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. key — for a lock
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. suit — clothes
  23. key — the most important part
  24. deal — a big deal

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