英语中最多义的10个词汇

中文里面有很多多义词，英文中也不例外。例如最多义的run有179个意思。今天我们就来学习意思最多的英文词汇前十名。

10 English Words with the most multiple meanings

José is in his third and final week with me on a home stay full immersion course and has come to the conclusion that the English Language is extremely confusing and frustrating! Especially when it comes to all those words that have multiple meanings.

I have to confess that he has got a point.

Take the word “run” for example. It has 179 meanings according to whilst the word “take” has 127 definitions! The following infographic that was compiled by Kaplan International together with highlights the 10 English words with the most meanings in the English Language. You can view this infographic here on the Kaplan website.

Kaplan has taken each word and categorised them according to the different parts of speech, for example, verb, noun, adverb, adjective and so on as well as verb phrases and idioms. As this lis t is very long, I’ve decided to break this list in two parts.

1. RUN

Verb

■My dog loves to run about in the park (move quickly with legs)

■She runs a very successful business (manages)

■The bus company runs a regular weekend service (offer a service)

■Don’t leave your car engine running/ try running the computer programme and see if it works (machine: working)

Noun

■I always go for a 10k run in the mornings.

■The play has had a successful run in the West End. (a period of time)

■I do the school run every morning and my husband does it in the afternoon (a journey that a train, ship, car and so on does regularly)

Verb Phrases

■Her withdrawal meant that her opponent was given a clear run for the nomination (you can progress without anyone stopping you)

■He gave Tom a good run for his money (competing so well with someone that they cannot defeat you)

■He is on the run from the law (trying to escape or hide from the police)

2. TAKE

Verb

■Don’t forget to take an extra pair of shoes (move something or someone from one place to another)

■Take a deep breath ◆ James took a sip of his drink ◆ I took a quick look at the audience (to perform an action or series of actions)

■I took a course in origami at college ◆ I’ve taken my driving test three times (to study or take an exam in a particular subject)

Verb Phrases

■I like chocolate but I can take it or leave it (to not care whether you have, see or do something – informal)

■It takes all sorts (used for saying that you find someone’s behaviour surprising or strange but will accept it – spoken)

■Take it from me, this restaurant is excellent. (used to emphasize that what you’re saying is true and people should believe it – spoken)

3. BREAK

Verb

■Be careful that you don’t break those glasses (separate into pieces by dropping) ■If you break the speed limit, the penalties are high ◆ break the law. (don’t obey rules or the law)

■When the news first broke, he was no where to be found ◆ breaking news ( if news breaks, it becomes publicly known)

■Why don’t we break now and meet again after lunch? (stop what you’re doing for a period of time)

Noun

■Doctors and nurses often work very long hours without a break ◆ Let’s take/have a break.

■This could be the lucky break he’s always wanted (an opportunity that helps you achieve success)

■She decided to make the break from marketing after eighteen years (a time of major change in one’s life).

Verb Phrases

■He’s been breaking his back getting the house ready in time for the baby’s arrival (working very hard)