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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: press · board · shower · temple · rock · lie · safe · bark

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  5. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. board — to get on
  4. press — a publisher
  5. shower — a meteor shower
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. board — a committee
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. shower — rain
  11. press — newspapers
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. bark — of a tree
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. shower — to wash
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. bark — a dog's sound
  20. press — to push
  21. rock — music
  22. bark — to shout
  23. rock — a stone
  24. temple — a place of worship

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