# English Word w/Most Definitions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 23, 2005, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786 "2005-07-23T12:04:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/1 "2005-07-23T12:04:27Z")
Does any Doper recall ever hearing what word in the English language has the most definitions in the dictionary? It was a short word, like maybe “set”? This WAG just came to me…will have to look into further. Meanwhile, I am sure some other SDoper has heard this question in the past. Does anyone recall the answer? - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/2 "2005-07-23T12:12:26Z")
I can’t answer the question, but I suggest the word “get” I once met a teacher of English as a foreign language who said its a tough concept. He spends several class sessions on “Get”, which has 17 different translations into the language of his students. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/3 "2005-07-23T12:23:31Z")
I have a memory that it’s ‘set’. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines ‘set’ as: - a verb with 36 meanings and 9 specific uses with other words (several of which have further meanings e.g. SET OFF on a journey; SET OFF a reaction) - a noun with 24 meanings and 1 specific use with other words - an adjective with 7 meanings I think we have a winner! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/4 "2005-07-23T12:45:07Z")
Off the top of my head, how about ‘Jack?’ I got fifteen definitions for ‘jack’ on my desktop Oxford American Dictionary. ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/5 "2005-07-23T12:53:08Z")
draw/drawer? rose? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/6 "2005-07-23T13:40:12Z")
“Set” is traditionally the answer to this question. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/7 "2005-07-23T16:08:07Z")
For a good time, try “set” at [http://www.visualthesaurus.com/](http://www.visualthesaurus.com/) and watch the show. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/8 "2005-07-23T18:04:14Z")
Not surprisingly, this has been discussed before. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=197026&highlight=definitions](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=197026&highlight=definitions) I’m surprised no one has mentioned “RUN” yet. That’s always been my favorite. Anyway, go to that link to see what has already been suggested. ---
**Author:** ![Hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecb155/32.png) [@Hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hombre)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/9 "2005-07-23T23:19:43Z")
IIRC, ‘up’ has a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/10 "2005-07-23T23:25:53Z")
I always thought it was ‘field’. Don’t know where i go that idea, though. ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/11 "2005-07-24T02:10:14Z")
[Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com)’s take on the matter: > [@Dictionary.com](#): > > Set has 464 definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary. Run runs a distant second, with 396. Rounding out the top ten are go with 368, take with 343, stand with 334, get with 289, turn with 288, put with 268, fall with 264, and strike with 250. [Cite](http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/s/set.html) ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-word-w-most-definitions/313786/12 "2005-07-24T02:11:50Z")
:smack: Maybe next time I’ll read the previous threads. Sorry 'bout that.