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 120 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: spell · mug · stick · stock · spring · calf · stem · sharp

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  3. The ________________ market has crashed.
  4. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  5. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  15. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. stem — of a plant
  3. stock — shares
  4. spell — magic
  5. stem — to come from
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. mug — a cup
  8. spring — of water
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. mug — a face
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. mug — to rob
  14. stem — a stem cell
  15. stock — goods
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. spring — a coil
  18. spell — a short time
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. spring — the season
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. spell — letters
  24. sharp — clever

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