# English words with three or more completely unrelated meanings **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825 "2011-12-11T15:00:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/1 "2011-12-11T15:00:14Z")
The word “band” has at least three distinct meanings: 1. A group of people engaged in a cooperative pursuit, such as a musical group or a band of thieves. 2. A strap or belt intended to carry a tension load 3. A frequency interval Obviously, “distinct” is a matter of opinion, but what are some other English words with at least three distinct meanings? What is the English word that has the most distinct meanings? ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/2 "2011-12-11T15:34:35Z")
A candidate is “set” [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/set](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/set) ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/3 "2011-12-11T15:40:15Z")
Punch: 1: (v) to strike with the fist 2: (n) a type of beverage 3: (n) a puppet character, ie Punch and Judy ---
**Author:** ![Batfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Batfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batfish)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/4 "2011-12-11T15:47:43Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > The word “band” has at least three distinct meanings: > > 1. A group of people engaged in a cooperative pursuit, such as a musical group or a band of thieves. > > 2. A strap or belt intended to carry a tension load > > 3. A frequency interval > > Obviously, “distinct” is a matter of opinion, but what are some other English words with at least three distinct meanings? What is the English word that has the most distinct meanings? All three of those are related. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/5 "2011-12-11T16:10:32Z")
The word _check_ has WAY more than three. Do I get a prize? > [@](#): > > check > > verb /CHek/  > checked, past participle; checked, past tense; checking, present participle; checks, 3rd person singular present > > ``` > Examine (something) in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition, or to detect the presence of something > - customs officers have the right to check all luggage > - a simple blood test to check for anemia > > Verify or establish to one's satisfaction > - check the expiration date on your passport > - she glanced over her shoulder to check that the door was shut > > Examine with a view to rectifying any fault or problem discovered > - check the oil and fluid levels again > > Verify the accuracy of something by comparing it with (something else) > - keep your receipt to check against your statement > > Agree or correspond when compared > > Stop or slow down the progress of (something undesirable) > - efforts were made to check the disease > > Curb or restrain (a feeling or emotion) > - he learned to check his excitement > > Master an involuntary reaction > - Chris took one step backward then checked himself > > Hamper or neutralize (an opponent) with one's body or stick > > Provide a means of preventing > - processes to check against deterioration in the quality of the data held > > (of a hound) Pause to make sure of or regain a scent > > (of a trained hawk) Abandon the intended quarry and fly after other prey > > Move a piece or pawn so that (the opposing king) is under attack > > (in poker) Choose not to make a bet when called upon, allowing the action to move to another player > > ``` > > noun /CHek/  > checks, plural > > ``` > An examination to test or ascertain accuracy, quality, or satisfactory condition > - a campaign calling for regular checks on gas appliances > - a health check > > A stopping or slowing of progress > - there was no check to the expansion of the market > > A means of control or restraint > - a permanent check upon the growth or abuse of central authority > > An act of hampering or neutralizing an opponent with one's body or stick > > A temporary loss of the scent in hunting > > A false stoop when a hawk abandons its intended quarry and pursues other prey > > A part of a piano that catches the hammer and prevents it from retouching the strings > > A move by which a piece or pawn directly attacks the opponent's king. If the defending player cannot counter the attack, the king is checkmated > > The bill in a restaurant > > A token of identification for left luggage > > A counter used as a stake in a gambling game > > A crack or flaw in timber > > ``` > > exclamation /CHek/ > > ``` > Expressing assent or agreement > > Used by a chess player to announce that the opponent's king has been placed in check > > ``` > > noun  > checks, plural; cheques, plural > > ``` > A written order to a bank to pay a stated sum from the drawer's account > - awarded a check for $1,000 > > The printed form on which such an order is written > > ``` > > noun  > checks, plural > > ``` > A pattern of small squares > - a fine black-and-white check > > A garment or fabric with such a pattern > > ``` > > adjective > > ``` > Having such a pattern > - a blue check T-shirt > > ``` Also, the word _fuck_. > [@](#): > > fuck > > verb /fək/  > fucked, past participle; fucked, past tense; fucking, present participle; fucks, 3rd person singular present > > ``` > Have sexual intercourse with (someone) > > (of two people) Have sexual intercourse > > Ruin or damage (something) > > ``` > > noun /fək/  > fucks, plural > > ``` > An act of sexual intercourse > > A sexual partner > > ``` > > exclamation /fək/ > > ``` > Used alone or as a noun (the fuck) or a verb in various phrases to express anger, annoyance, contempt, impatience, or surprise, or simply for emphasis > > ``` > > > [@](#): > > ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/6 "2011-12-11T16:24:37Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Punch: > > 1: (v) to strike with the fist > > 2: (n) a type of beverage > > 3: (n) a puppet character, ie Punch and Judy 4: (v) to use a punch, i.e., “punch a hole on this mark” ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/7 "2011-12-11T16:49:35Z")
> [@](#): > > play >    [pley] Show IPA > noun > 1. > a dramatic composition or piece; drama. > 2. > a dramatic performance, as on the stage. > 3. > exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. > 4. > fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play. > 5. > a pun. > 6. > the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play. > 7. > the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game. > 8. > an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match. > 9. > one’s turn to play: Whose play is it? > 10. > a playing for stakes; gambling. > 11. > an attempt to accomplish something, often in a manner showing craft or calculation; maneuver: They tried to buy up the stock in a takeover play. > 12. > an enterprise or venture; deal: an oil and drilling play. > 13. > action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind: fair play; foul play. > 14. > action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy. > 15. > brisk, light, or changing movement or action: a fountain with a leaping play of water. > 16. > elusive change or movement, as of light or colors: the play of a searchlight against the night sky. > 17. > a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move. > 18. > freedom of movement within a space, as of a part of a mechanism. > 19. > freedom for action, or scope for activity: full play of the mind. > 20. > attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news: The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers. > 21. > an act or instance of being broadcast: The governor’s speech got two plays on our local station. > [@](#): > > verb (used with object) > 22. > to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray: to play Lady Macbeth. > 23. > to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.) on or as if on the stage. > 24. > to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life: to play the role of benefactor. > 25. > to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool; to play God. > 26. > to give performances in, as a theatrical company does: to play the larger cities. > 27. > to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.). > 28. > to contend against in a game. > 29. > to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition: He usually plays left end. > 30. > to employ (a piece of equipment, a player, etc.) in a game: I played my highest card. > 31. > to use as if in playing a game, as for one’s own advantage: He played his brothers against each other. > 32. > to stake or wager, as in a game. > 33. > to lay a wager or wagers on (something). > 34. > to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest: to play cowboys and Indians. > 35. > to perform on (a musical instrument). > 36. > to perform (music) on an instrument. > 37. > to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures: to play a tape; to play the radio. > 38. > to do or perform: You shouldn’t play tricks. Compromise plays an important part in marriage. > 39. > to carry or put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch. > 40. > to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play colored lights on a fountain. > 41. > to operate or cause to operate, especially continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire. > 42. > to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line. > 43. > to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), especially prominently: Play the flood photos on page one. > 44. > to exploit or trade in (an investment, business opportunity, stock, etc.). > [@](#): > > verb (used without object) > 45. > to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation. > 46. > to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously. > 47. > to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often followed by with ). > 48. > to take part or engage in a game. > 49. > to take part in a game for stakes; gamble. > 50. > to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair. > 51. > to act on or as if on the stage; perform. > 52. > to perform on a musical instrument. > 53. > (of an instrument or music) to sound in performance: The strings are playing well this evening. > 54. > (of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound: The radio played all night. > 55. > to be performed or shown: What’s playing at the movie theater around the corner? > 56. > to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script: We hope this scene will play well. > 57. > Informal . to be accepted or effective; fare: How will the senator’s proposal play with the public? > 58. > to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism. > 59. > to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air. > 60. > to present the effect of such motion, as light or the changing colors of an iridescent substance: The lights played strangely over the faces of the actors. > 61. > to operate continuously or with repeated action. > 62. > Informal . to comply or cooperate: They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play. There are 14 more listed as phrases or idioms… There are differing degrees of relation between the definitions, but it’s an impressive word overall. [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/play](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/play) ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/8 "2011-12-11T16:55:00Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > The word _check_ has WAY more than three. Do I get a prize? No, you do not. I won’t dispute the fact that the word ‘check’ has multiple “completely unrelated” meanings, but I think you’re attributing more than what the OP asked for, which was “\*three or more \*\*\*\*completely unrelated \*\*\*_meanings_”, IMHO changing the tense of the word doesn’t make for _ **unrelated** _ meanings. :dubious: Just how many meanings are you implying, according to your post? 😕 I posit the same to **Darth Panda**. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/9 "2011-12-11T17:14:58Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > Just how many meanings are you implying, according to your post? 😕 > > I posit the same to **Darth Panda**. I’m not really interested in checking each definition against every other and presenting a case for each one that I feel differs, but I do feel as though things like: play, as in “give”, referring to a range of motion something has (how much play); play, as in “turn” in a game (your play); play, as in “conduct” (fair play, dirty play, etc.); play, as in “perform” on a musical instrument (play the guitar); and play, as in “opportunity” relating to an oil field (an oil play) are examples of distinct meanings. That isn’t to say that in the course of the history of language that there is no common ancestry - of course there is- I’m just saying that the meanings are distinct, for some reasonable value of distinct. Many more definitions within the list constitute other meanings, with varying degrees of distinctness, which you, the OP, and others are free to evaluate for yourselves, should you desire to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/10 "2011-12-11T18:27:39Z")
[GAY](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=634035) 1. Bright 2. Homosexual 3. Lame ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/11 "2011-12-11T18:35:46Z")
Bore [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bore](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bore) > [@](#): > > to weary by dullness, tedious repetition, unwelcome attentions, etc.: The long speech bored me. > > to pierce (a solid substance) with some rotary cutting instrument. > > an abrupt rise of tidal water moving rapidly inland from the mouth of an estuary. > > past tense of the verb “bear”. ---
**Author:** ![Reyemile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/12 "2011-12-11T18:39:28Z")
Right > [@](#): > > 1 that which is morally correct, just, or honorable : she doesn’t understand the difference between right and wrong > 2 a moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way : she had every right to be angry > 3 ( the right) the right-hand part, side, or direction ---
**Author:** ![andyleonard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@andyleonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyleonard)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/13 "2011-12-11T18:53:52Z")
Fly: 1) a bug 2) an opening in trousers 3) to travel in air 4) to leave in haste. O.k. maybe the last 2 are too close… ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/14 "2011-12-11T18:54:03Z")
Run: 1. Rapid legged locomotion 2. A sequence of cards in games such as Gin Rummy 3. A small stream 4. A score in games such as cricket and baseball … and numerous others. As already noted, deciding whether meanings are related or unrelated can be contentious. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/15 "2011-12-11T19:14:09Z")
light 1. the electromagnetic radiation (She was blinded by the light) 2. not having much weight (the pillow was light) 3. not having much content (a light topic for conversation) 4. to set aflame (I will light the match) probably more but these are just off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/16 "2011-12-11T19:28:21Z")
> [@Reyemile](#): > > Right: > > 3 ( the right) the right-hand part, side, or direction How does that dictionary define “recursive”? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/17 "2011-12-11T19:57:22Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > …you’re attributing more than what the OP asked for, which was “\*three or more \*\*\*\*completely unrelated \*\*\*_meanings_”, . How on earth is it possible to determine “completely unrelated”? Drawing the line is going to be largely subjective and arbitrary. I think the only way to do that is to base it on different etymologies, which will eliminate just about everything mentioned above. Otherwise, of course the words that have the most listings for different meanings are going to be ones like _set, get, put_, etc.–that is, the oldest worlds in the language. As for the other question in the OP, if you just want words with three or more definitions, all you have to do is open a dictionary. Probably 60% of the entries will have at least three “different” meanings. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/18 "2011-12-11T21:09:01Z")
There are certainly examples of words with _two_ completely unrelated meanings: “Bear” comes to mind. There’s no connection, not even etymological, between “ursine” and “carry”. For the OP, one that almost qualifies is “bit”. I don’t _think_ that “past tense of bite” and “a small piece” are related to each other, though either might be related to “the part of a harness that goes in a horse’s mouth”. The computer definition, though, “an amount of information sufficient to distinguish between two possibilities”, is more complicated, since it has a dual etymology: In part, it’s a portmanteau for “binary digit”, but in part, it’s also influenced by “a small piece”. Does that count as a completely unrelated meaning or not? ---
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/19 "2011-12-11T22:13:02Z")
> [@Batfish](#): > > All three of those are related. Inasmuch as to how? **Chronos** has the idea I was trying to convey in the OP. I am aware that one can pick up dictionary and see multiple definitions for most words. What I’m looking for are completely unrelated definitions, like light, meaning visible electromagnetic radiation, and light meaning the opposite of heavy. (It’s always possible that these are only apparently unrelated, with some obscure but interesting connection.) I’m not looking for “apron” meaning a garment that covers a flattish area, and “apron” meaning an area of pavement covering a flattish area. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825/20 "2011-12-11T22:33:40Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Punch: > > 1: (v) to strike with the fist > > 2: (n) a type of beverage > > 3: (n) a puppet character, ie Punch and Judy 4: (n) a tool used to partially or completely penetrate a substance such as metal, plastic, leather, etc. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-three-or-more-completely-unrelated-meanings/605825.md?page=2)