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 120 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. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — a soup base
  2. current — of water
  3. suit — clothes
  4. wound — an injury
  5. press — newspapers
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. bulb — for light
  8. suit — to fit
  9. current — electric
  10. current — happening now
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. wound — past of 'wind'
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. press — to push
  16. wax — to grow
  17. press — a publisher
  18. bulb — for light
  19. stock — shares
  20. suit — in cards
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. wound — an injury
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. stock — goods

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