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: firm · rock · saw · suit · bear · stock · bound · degree

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  5. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. The ________________ market has crashed.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  14. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  15. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. What's the difference between broth and ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. rock — a stone
  3. suit — clothes
  4. degree — an amount
  5. firm — decided
  6. suit — in cards
  7. saw — the tool
  8. firm — a company
  9. saw — the tool
  10. stock — shares
  11. bear — the animal
  12. bound — obliged
  13. degree — from a university
  14. stock — goods
  15. bear — to put up with
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. firm — steady
  18. bear — the animal
  19. rock — music
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. degree — temperature
  22. bound — certain
  23. suit — to fit
  24. stock — a soup base

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