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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.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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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: stick · mark · temple · hide · press · nail · bear · tube

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. I'll be taking the ________________.
  22. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. bear — to put up with
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. mark — a grade
  11. press — to push
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. press — a publisher
  14. bear — the animal
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. tube — in a tire
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. press — newspapers
  20. bear — the animal
  21. tube — the underground
  22. tube — a container
  23. mark — a trace
  24. temple — side of the head

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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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