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: saw · wax · present · straw · temple · can · rock · cue

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  16. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  17. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. can — to be able to
  3. saw — the tool
  4. cue — for pool
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. straw — a straw man
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. cue — a signal
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. rock — a stone
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. straw — to clutch at straws
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. can — a tin
  15. wax — in the ear
  16. present — there
  17. present — the time now
  18. can — a tin
  19. present — a gift
  20. cue — a hint
  21. wax — to grow
  22. saw — the tool
  23. straw — dry grass
  24. rock — music

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