English is a fascinating and complex language known for having many words with multiple meanings. These words can often lead to confusion, particularly for those learning English as a second language.
My wife is Polish and speaks very good English but always remarks about the number of words with double or even multiple meanings!
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This useful list contains 100 English words with more than one meaning, with explanations for each. Whether you are a native speaker looking to expand your vocabulary or a language learner trying to make sense of the nuances of English, this list will help you navigate the nuances of this fascinating language!
Arm – A limb of the human body, or a weapon or device used for a specific purpose.
Ball – A round object used in sports, or a formal social event.
Bank – A financial institution, or a raised area of land alongside a body of water.
Bark – The protective outer covering of a tree or the sound a dog makes.
Bat – A flying mammal or a piece of equipment used in sports such as baseball or cricket.
Bear – A large carnivorous mammal, or to carry or support something.
Beat – To strike repeatedly, or to defeat or surpass someone or something.
Bill – A statement of charges or fees, or the beak of a bird.
Block – A solid piece of material or an obstruction that prevents movement.
Block – A solid piece of material, or to prevent something from moving or progressing.
Bound – Tied or secured, or a limit or boundary.
Bow – To bend forward at the waist, or a decorative ribbon tied in a loop.
Box – A rectangular container, or a type of sport or combat.
Break – To separate into pieces, or to pause or take a rest from an activity.
Bridge – A structure that spans a physical obstacle, or the act of connecting two things.
Buck – A male deer, or to resist or oppose something.
Buckle – A device used to fasten two ends together or to collapse under pressure.
Chain – A series of connected links or rings, or to secure something with a chain.
Character – A person in a story or a quality or trait that distinguishes someone or something.
Charge – A fee for services, to run at something or to be responsible for something.
Cleft – A split or crack in something, or a past tense of the verb “Cleave,” meaning to split or divide.
Club – A group of people who share a common interest, or a heavy stick used as a weapon or for striking a ball.
Compound – A mixture of substances, or a fenced-in area.
Console – To comfort, or an electronic device for gaming or entertainment.
Court – A place where legal proceedings are conducted, or a playing area for various sports.
Cover – A protective layer or shield, or to place something over or on top of another thing.
Crane – A large, long-legged bird or a machine used for lifting heavy objects.
Cross – A shape formed by two intersecting lines, or to pass from one side to another.
Crossover – A vehicle with combined features, or a basketball move.
Date – A particular day or time period, a sweet fruit with a hard pit or a social or romantic appointment.
Dive – To ascend in water or the air, or a seedy establishment.
Draft – A preliminary version of a document or written work, or a current of air.
Draw – To make a picture or diagram, or to extract or pull something out.
Dress – To put on clothes, or to prepare food for cooking.
Dress – To wear clothing, or a garment worn by women and girls.
Face – The front part of the head or a person’s facial expression.
Fair – Just or impartial, or a public gathering for entertainment or commerce.
Fall – To descend from a higher position to a lower one, or a season of the year characterized by cooler temperatures and falling leaves.
Fan – A device that produces a current of air, or a person who admires and supports a particular person or thing.
Figure – A numerical symbol, or a shape or form of something.
File – A tool used for smoothing or shaping surfaces, or a collection of data stored in a computer.
Flag – A piece of fabric used as a symbol or signal, or to decline or weaken in strength.
Green – A color or to be new or naive to something.
Head – The uppermost part of the body or an individual person or animal, or to lead or be in charge of something.
Jam – A sweet spread made from fruit, or a situation where objects or people are tightly packed together.
Key – A small metal instrument used to open a lock, or an essential or crucial element.
Lead – A heavy metal, or to guide or direct someone or something.
Lean – To incline or rest on something for support, or lacking sufficient funds or resources.
Left – The opposite of right, or to have departed from a particular place.
Letter – A written message, or a character in the alphabet.
Light – A form of energy that makes things visible, or not heavy in weight.
Line – A long, narrow mark or band, or a connected series of people or things.
Mark – A visible indication or impression, or a unit of currency in some countries.
Master – An expert, or to gain control or conquer.
Match – A competition or contest, or a small stick used to ignite a flame.
Mine – A place where minerals are extracted, or to dig or excavate.
Model – A representation of a person or thing, or a person who displays clothing or other products in a professional context.
Nail – A small metal spike with a flat head, or a hard covering on the end of fingers and toes.
Object – A physical item, or to express disapproval or opposition.
Over – Above or higher than something, or a finished or concluded state.
Park – A public area for recreation, or to temporarily leave a vehicle in a designated spot.
Pipe – A tube of metal, plastic or other material used to transport fluids or gases, or a musical instrument.
Pitch – The quality of sound, or a substance used for waterproofing or paving surfaces.
Plate – A flat, typically round dish or object, or a sheet of metal or other material.
Point – A sharp end or tip of something, or a unit of measurement in geometry and navigation.
Pool – A small body of water, or a shared resource or collection of resources.
Pound – A unit of weight, or to strike repeatedly with force.
Practice – A medical surgery or to learn a skill by repetition.
Present – A gift, or a current moment in time.
Record – A written or audio account, or achieving a personal best.
Resort – A vacation destination, or to turn to for help.
Ring – A circular band worn as jewelry, or a sound made by a bell or telephone.
Rock – A type of hard mineral, or to move back and forth or to sway.
Roll – To move by turning over and over, or a small baked cake of sweet or savory ingredients.
Rose – A fragrant flower, or the past tense of the verb “Rise”.
Rubber – A highly elastic material, or a tool used for erasing pencil marks.
Run – To move quickly on foot, or to operate or function.
Sack – A cloth bag for storing goods or to make someone redundant from a job with force.
Scale – A device used to measure weight, or a series of musical notes played in ascending or descending order.
Seal – An animal with thick fur and flippers, or a device used for closing or securing something.
Season – A period of time, or to add flavor to food.
Shell – A hard protective covering of certain animals, or the outer covering of a seed or nut.
Shop – A place where goods or services are sold, or to engage in a particular activity as a hobby or profession.
Sink – A basin used for washing or cleaning, or to move downward or submerge.
Sole – The underside of a person’s foot or a type of fish, or to be the only one of something.
Sound – Something that is heard, or to be in good condition or health.
Spirit – The non-physical part of a person, or a type of alcoholic beverage.
Square – A shape with four equal sides and angles, or a public area in a city or town.
Strike – To hit forcefully, or to stop working in protest.
Suit – A set of clothes worn together, or a legal case or proceeding.
Switch – A device used to control the flow of electricity, or to change or shift from one thing to another.
Table – A piece of furniture with a flat surface and one or more legs, or to postpone consideration of something.
Tank – A large container for storing liquids or a military vehicle with tracks and heavy armor.
Tap – A device used for controlling the flow of liquids, or to lightly touch something.
Train – A series of connected cars or carriages, or to teach or prepare someone for a specific task or skill.
Trunk – The main stem of a tree, or a large, rigid container used for storage or transportation.
Watch – A timepiece worn on the wrist, or to observe or monitor something closely.
Wave – A disturbance or variation that propagates through a medium, or to move one’s hand back and forth in a greeting or farewell gesture.
Wind – The natural movement of air, or to turn or twist something repeatedly.
Window – An opening for light and air, or a period of time.
