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 116 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: stand · mark · lash · scale · stock · leaves · object · track

  1. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  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. stand — on your feet
  2. object — a thing
  3. track — a path
  4. scale — for weighing
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. mark — a grade
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. track — to keep track
  9. stock — shares
  10. scale — size or range
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. scale — in music
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. track — a song
  16. object — to protest
  17. stock — goods
  18. mark — a trace
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. object — an aim
  23. stand — to bear
  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