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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. How do you ________________ your surname?
  5. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. We're almost out of ________________.
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. You don't need to ________________ round.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — music
  2. pass — a permit
  3. spell — magic
  4. spell — letters
  5. chip — in a computer
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. current — of water
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. bound — tied together
  12. bound — obliged
  13. pop — soda
  14. press — newspapers
  15. spell — a short time
  16. current — electric
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. pop — to visit
  19. bound — certain
  20. chip — for betting
  21. chip — to eat
  22. press — to push
  23. press — a publisher
  24. current — happening now

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