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: stock · cap · branch · current · firm · jam · temple · rock

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. The ________________ market has crashed.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. stock — shares
  4. rock — music
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. cap — a lid
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. current — happening now
  10. cap — of ice
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. firm — steady
  13. cap — a hat
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. firm — decided
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. firm — a company
  18. branch — a division
  19. current — electric
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. stock — goods
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. current — of water
  24. temple — a place of worship

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