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: bound · stand · lash · bore · mate · stock · chip · net

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Have you found your soul ________________?
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  9. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. The ________________ market has crashed.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. mate — a partner
  3. bore — to drill
  4. chip — for betting
  5. net — in sport
  6. bound — obliged
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. bound — tied together
  9. mate — to breed
  10. stand — to bear
  11. net — for catching
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. bound — certain
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. net — after costs
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. stock — shares
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. bore — gave birth
  20. bore — to tire
  21. mate — a friend
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. stock — goods
  24. chip — to eat

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