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: racket · wax · can · branch · object · plane · mug · cue

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  11. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. can — a tin
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. mug — a cup
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. mug — to rob
  8. cue — for pool
  9. object — an aim
  10. branch — of a bank
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. can — to be able to
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. cue — a hint
  15. object — to protest
  16. cue — a signal
  17. branch — a division
  18. wax — to grow
  19. plane — a tool
  20. object — a thing
  21. mug — a face
  22. racket — a loud noise
  23. can — a tin
  24. wax — in the ear

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