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: foot · rush · trunk · lash · stock · hide · mark · cap

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. mark — a grade
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. stock — a soup base
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. cap — of ice
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. rush — hurry
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. cap — a hat
  18. stock — goods
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. stock — shares
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. cap — a lid
  23. mark — a trace
  24. hide — animal skin

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