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: safe · suit · toast · cue · chip · wake · stock · deal

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  12. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. The ________________ market has crashed.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. cue — a signal
  3. suit — to fit
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. wake — to stop sleeping
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. stock — a soup base
  8. chip — to eat
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. cue — for pool
  11. wake — before a funeral
  12. stock — goods
  13. deal — to handle
  14. stock — shares
  15. suit — clothes
  16. toast — bread
  17. chip — for betting
  18. cue — a hint
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. suit — in cards
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. wake — a trail

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