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: saw · lie · rush · bound · key · stand · temple · coach

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. saw — the tool
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. lie — to recline
  8. bound — obliged
  9. key — in music
  10. key — for a lock
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. bound — tied together
  14. rush — hurry
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. key — the most important part
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. saw — the tool
  23. stand — to bear
  24. bound — certain

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