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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  6. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. can — to be able to
  3. can — a tin
  4. stock — goods
  5. wax — to grow
  6. fork — a garden tool
  7. rock — music
  8. wax — in the ear
  9. current — happening now
  10. rock — a stone
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. rush — hurry
  14. current — of water
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. can — a tin
  17. fork — to eat with
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. current — electric
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. fork — in a road
  24. stock — shares

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