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: bound · coach · bowl · can · temple · bear · key · racket

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. bear — the animal
  3. bowl — a dish
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. key — in music
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. bear — the animal
  11. can — a tin
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. can — to be able to
  15. key — the most important part
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. key — for a lock
  18. can — a tin
  19. bound — certain
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. bound — obliged

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