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: safe · drill · wax · cell · board · lie · charge · suit

  1. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. He was locked up in a ________________.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. We had a fire ________________ at school today.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. suit — to fit
  3. board — to get on
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. wax — to grow
  6. lie — to recline
  7. cell — a phone
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. suit — clothes
  10. suit — in cards
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. drill — the tool
  13. cell — in a prison
  14. board — a committee
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. charge — in control
  17. charge — a price
  18. cell — in biology
  19. charge — electricity
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. drill — a practice

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