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: calf · row · squash · rush · mark · stand · stock · suit

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  15. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  16. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  17. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. rush — hurry
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. row — a line
  9. suit — to fit
  10. squash — to crush
  11. suit — clothes
  12. mark — a trace
  13. mark — a grade
  14. row — a quarrel
  15. row — to paddle
  16. squash — the sport
  17. squash — the vegetable
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. stock — goods
  22. suit — in cards
  23. stock — shares
  24. stand — to bear

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