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: face · wax · fine · mug · mouse · file · safe · season

  1. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  2. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  3. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. face — part of the head
  2. file — a line of people
  3. file — a document
  4. season — in sport
  5. file — a tool
  6. face — to point toward
  7. wax — to grow
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. face — to confront
  10. mug — to rob
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. fine — high quality
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. mug — a face
  16. fine — all right
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. wax — for sculpting
  20. season — of the year
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. mug — a cup

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