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: kick · can · leaves · toast · fall · stock · mouse · safe

  1. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  11. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  20. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — goods
  2. toast — bread
  3. can — a tin
  4. fall — to drop
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. kick — a thrill
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. fall — the season
  11. stock — a soup base
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. kick — with a leg
  18. can — to be able to
  19. kick — in football
  20. fall — to drop
  21. can — a tin
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. stock — shares
  24. leaves — to go away

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