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: cue · suit · stock · can · fan · hide · firm · season

  1. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. The ________________ market has crashed.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. stock — goods
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. cue — a hint
  5. can — a tin
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. suit — in cards
  9. season — of the year
  10. suit — to fit
  11. cue — a signal
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. suit — clothes
  15. season — in sport
  16. can — a tin
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. stock — a soup base
  19. can — to be able to
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. firm — a company
  22. firm — steady
  23. cue — for pool
  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