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

Word bank: can · mouse · stock · sharp · dip · tube · deal · mate

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  3. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. It's one o'clock ________________.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. tube — a container
  3. dip — a sauce
  4. can — to be able to
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. mate — to breed
  7. deal — to handle
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. stock — goods
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. dip — to sink
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. mate — a friend
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. can — a tin
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. stock — shares
  20. can — a tin
  21. sharp — exactly
  22. mate — a partner
  23. tube — the underground
  24. sharp — clever

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