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 120 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: ruler · mate · suit · fine · perch · drill · wave · safe

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  23. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. fine — all right
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. suit — in cards
  9. mate — a friend
  10. wave — with your hand
  11. perch — the fish
  12. drill — a practice
  13. suit — to fit
  14. wave — a sudden rise
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. drill — the tool
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. mate — a partner
  19. fine — high quality
  20. mate — to breed
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. drill — army training
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. suit — clothes

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