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: pop · current · straw · mark · rock · key · spring · press

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. You don't need to ________________ round.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  17. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. straw — to clutch at straws
  3. press — newspapers
  4. pop — to visit
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. current — of water
  7. spring — a coil
  8. mark — a grade
  9. current — electric
  10. press — a publisher
  11. pop — music
  12. straw — dry grass
  13. current — happening now
  14. pop — soda
  15. key — for a lock
  16. spring — of water
  17. spring — the season
  18. mark — a trace
  19. key — the most important part
  20. straw — a straw man
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. press — to push
  23. rock — a stone
  24. rock — music

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