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: can · nail · stock · safe · key · firm · season · dip

  1. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The ________________ market has crashed.
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. can — a tin
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. season — of the year
  6. key — for a lock
  7. can — a tin
  8. dip — to sink
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. firm — a company
  11. can — to be able to
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. key — the most important part
  14. stock — shares
  15. firm — decided
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. key — in music
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. stock — goods
  24. firm — steady

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