Words with Multiple Meanings

To put something in a particular place → She set the glass on the table.

To arrange or prepare something → They set the table for dinner.

To become solid or firm → The jelly hasn’t set yet.

A group or collection → I bought a new set of dishes.

To damage or separate into pieces → He broke his phone yesterday.

To stop doing something for a short time → Let’s take a break.

To violate (rules or promises) → He broke the law.

To become sunny after clouds → The clouds finally broke.

Opposite of heavy → This bag is very light.

Not dark → It gets light early in summer.

A source of illumination → Turn on the light.

To start something burning → He lit the candle.

To move quickly on foot → I run every morning.

To manage or operate something → She runs her own business.

To function → The car runs smoothly.

To flow (liquid) → Tears ran down her face.

Words with Multiple Meanings

A dot or mark → Put a point at the end of the sentence.

A particular moment or stage → At one point, I wanted to quit.

To indicate or show direction → She pointed at the board.

A purpose or reason → There’s no point in arguing.

To look at attentively → Let’s watch a film tonight.

A small clock worn on the wrist → I lost my watch.

To be careful about → Watch your step on the ice!

A period of duty (especially at night) → He’s on the night watch.

A collection of papers or data → I’ve saved the file on my computer.

To store or submit documents officially → Please file your tax return.

A tool for smoothing surfaces → He used a file to shape the wood.

To walk in a line → The students filed into the classroom.

To receive or obtain → I got a new phone yesterday.

To become → It’s getting dark outside.

To understand → I don’t get what you mean.

To arrive → We got home late.

To carry or move something → Take your umbrella with you.

To accept or receive → She took the job offer.

To require (time) → The journey took two hours.

To capture (a photo) → He took a picture of the sunset.

Words with Multiple Meanings

To take part in a sport or game → They play football every weekend.

To perform on stage or in a film → She played Juliet in the school play.

To make music → He plays the guitar beautifully.

To behave lightly or jokingly → Don’t play with your food!

Material for writing or printing → He wrote the essay on plain paper.

A newspaper → Did you read the paper this morning?

An academic article → She published a paper on linguistics.

An exam → Tomorrow we have a maths paper.

A financial institution → I need to go to the bank.

The side of a river → They had a picnic on the river bank.

A row or series → There’s a bank of computers in the classroom.

To rely on something → You can bank on me.

The part of the body with the brain → He nodded his head.

A leader → She’s the head of the department.

To go in a direction → We’re heading north.

The top or front part of something → The head of the table.

Words with Multiple Meanings

The front part of your head → She has a kind face.

To confront something → You must face your fears.

The surface of something → The mountain’s north face is steep.

To be positioned towards → The house faces the sea.

A contest or game → Did you watch the football match?

Something that fits or goes well with something else → That shirt is a perfect match for your jacket.

A small stick for making fire → He lit a match to start the fire.

A suitable partner → They’re a good match.

A collection of written pages → I’m reading an interesting book.

To reserve → We booked a table for two.

To record names officially → The police booked him for speeding.

The season after winter → Spring is my favourite time of year.

A coil that bounces → The sofa springs are broken.

A source of water → They found a natural spring in the hills.

To jump suddenly → The cat sprang onto the table.

Words with Multiple Meanings

A thin metal pin → He hit the nail with a hammer.

The hard part at the end of your fingers → She painted her nails red.

To catch someone → The police nailed the thief.

Just or reasonable → That’s not fair!

Light in colour → She has fair hair.

A market or event → We went to the spring fair.

Good weather → It’ll be fair and sunny tomorrow.

A series of connected railway carriages → The train was late again.

To teach or prepare someone → She trains new employees.

To aim something carefully → He trained the camera on the bird.

A piece of jewellery for the finger → Her wedding ring is beautiful.

A circle → The children sat in a ring.

To call by telephone → I’ll ring you later.

A sound made by a bell → The church bells rang at noon.

Words with Multiple Meanings

A flying animal → Bats sleep during the day.

A piece of sports equipment → He hit the ball with the bat.

To hit something lightly → She batted her eyelashes.

A flow of water or air → The river current is strong.

A flow of electricity → The current is too high.

Happening now → The current situation is worrying.

To become different → People change over time.

Coins (money) → Do you have change for a ten-pound note?

To replace one thing with another → Change your clothes before dinner.

To exchange currency → I changed euros into pounds.

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