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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. current — happening now
  6. can — to be able to
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. bore — to drill
  9. stock — shares
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. can — a tin
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. current — electric
  14. current — of water
  15. bore — to tire
  16. can — a tin
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. stock — goods
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. rush — hurry
  24. stand — to bear

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