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: key · saw · wax · squash · prune · can · arm · toast

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  7. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  8. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. squash — to crush
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. prune — the fruit
  5. can — a tin
  6. prune — to trim
  7. squash — the vegetable
  8. prune — to trim
  9. key — the most important part
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. saw — the tool
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. can — a tin
  14. squash — the sport
  15. key — in music
  16. can — to be able to
  17. key — for a lock
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. toast — bread
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. wax — to grow

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