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: date · mark · rock · deal · wax · stick · track · racket

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Have you settled on a ________________?
  14. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. wax — in the ear
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. date — the fruit
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. track — a song
  10. mark — a grade
  11. track — to keep track
  12. rock — music
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. track — a path
  18. wax — for sculpting
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. wax — to grow
  21. rock — a stone
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. mark — a trace
  24. mark — to pay attention

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