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: cue · bound · safe · calf · mouse · wax · cabinet · wind

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  12. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. wax — to grow
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. bound — obliged
  6. cue — for pool
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. bound — certain
  9. cue — a signal
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. wind — to turn a key
  12. wind — moving air
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. cue — a hint
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. wind — moving air
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. bound — tied together
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. wax — for sculpting
  24. mouse — for a computer

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