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 116 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 polar ice ________________ is melting.
  2. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  3. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — of ice
  2. mate — a friend
  3. stock — goods
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. can — to be able to
  6. mate — to breed
  7. snap — to click
  8. stock — shares
  9. can — a tin
  10. snap — to speak sharply
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. mate — a partner
  13. snap — to snap out of it
  14. mug — to rob
  15. cap — a lid
  16. lean — to bend
  17. mug — a face
  18. lean — thin
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. can — a tin
  22. rush — hurry
  23. mug — a cup
  24. cap — a hat

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