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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: mark · saw · lie · safe · temple · pop · pound · tube

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. You don't need to ________________ round.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  12. We're almost out of ________________.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. lie — to recline
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. pop — to visit
  7. tube — the underground
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. tube — a container
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. pound — a weight
  12. pop — soda
  13. pop — music
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. saw — the tool
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. mark — a grade
  21. saw — the tool
  22. pound — for dogs
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. pound — to hit hard

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