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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. The ________________ market has crashed.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — goods
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. stock — a soup base
  4. mark — a grade
  5. rash — hasty
  6. can — a tin
  7. stock — shares
  8. suit — clothes
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. suit — to fit
  11. prune — to trim
  12. mark — a trace
  13. mug — a face
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. rash — a series
  16. prune — to trim
  17. mug — to rob
  18. can — to be able to
  19. suit — in cards
  20. key — the most important part
  21. key — in music
  22. key — for a lock
  23. can — a tin
  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