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: mouse · leaves · ball · trunk · wax · safe · bore · fork

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  6. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  24. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. trunk — of an elephant
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. fork — to eat with
  6. trunk — of a tree
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. bore — to tire
  9. ball — a dance
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. bore — to drill
  13. bore — gave birth
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. ball — a great time
  19. wax — to grow
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. wax — for sculpting
  24. fork — in a road

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