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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 120 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: dip · prune · last · plane · rock · spell · root · lie

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  12. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  13. False peace will not ________________.
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. root — of a plant
  4. dip — to sink
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. rock — a stone
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. root — of a word
  9. root — the cause
  10. prune — to trim
  11. dip — a sauce
  12. last — finally
  13. last — to go on
  14. spell — a short time
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. spell — letters
  17. rock — music
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. lie — to recline
  21. spell — magic
  22. plane — a tool
  23. prune — to trim
  24. last — final

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