In English there are many words with double meaning, these are known as homonyms. These words are usually spelled the same and also sound exactly the same, but because they are a different word class (nouns, verb, adjective, adverb), the meaning is different.
An example of this would be:
Mean (adjective) = stingy, horrible, unkind
My uncle is a mean man and never lends anything to anyone.
Mean (verb) = refer to, signify, intend to convey
I mean that you should try to study more consistently.
A false example of this would be: these words are written the same, but the pronunciation is different. Sometimes the words are written differently, but have the same pronunciation. These are called homophones
Live (adjective) = not dead, active, personal
The concert was live and broadcast from the town plaza.
Live (verb) = reside, inhabit
I live in a vibrant city in the south of Spain.
Week (noun) = a unit of time, 7 days
I have been working here for about a week.
Weak (adjective) = not strong
My left arm is weak whereas my right one is stronger.
Here is a comprehensive list of homonyms:
Address (verb) = to refer to
I am addressing you when I say “come here”.
Address (noun) = where something is located
What is your address?
Air (verb) = to broadcast
When will they air the new show?
Air (noun) = what we breathe
We breathe air.
Arm (verb) = to give a weapon to
The rebels were armed by the US government.
Arm (noun) = a part of the body
I have two arms.
Bark (verb) = the sound a dog makes
Why is your dog barking?
Bark (noun) = the outer part of a tree trunk
The bark on this tree smells nice.
Bat (verb) = to hit with a bat
In baseball you need to bat a big ball.
Bat (noun) = an flying rodent or a piece of sports equipment
I love watching the bats flying at night.
Break (verb) = to smash, to infringe
I don´t want to break my new pen.
Break (noun) = a time to relax
I need to take a break.
Clip (verb) = to cut or reduce in size
We ought to clip the hedge.
Clip (noun) = an item of stationary
I used a clip to attach the papers together.
Date (verb) = to go out with someone
I would never date him.
Date (noun) = the exact day of the year
What is the date today?
Drop (verb) = when something falls on the ground
I dropped the glass and it smashed.
Drop (noun) = a unit of a liquid
It has not rained at all, not one drop.
Express (verb) = to put into words
I find it easy to express myself.
Express (Noun) = something fast
It is the express train.
Fly (verb) = to move through the air
I can fly a plane.
Fly (noun) = an insect
I hate flies and wasps.
Kind (noun) = a type
What kind of car do you have?
Kind (adjective) = friendly or generous
My sister is really kind.
Lie (verb) = to say something untrue or to stretch out on something
I would never lie to you.
Lie (noun) = something untrue
Do you ever tell me lies?
Match (verb) = join or unite
We need to match the word to the synonym.
Match (noun) = a competitive event
What time does the match start?
Mind (verb) = to care about
Do you mind if I sit here?
Mind (noun) = your brain
I have a brilliant mind.
Pound (verb) = to hit, to beat
I am going to pound your face in.
Pound (noun) = a unit of currency in the UK
Could you lend me a pound, please?
Right (noun) = a legal guarantee
You have no right to talk to me like that.
Right (adjective) = correct, accurate
Is my answer right or wrong?
Ring (verb) = call
Can I ring you later?
Ring (noun) = a round piece of jewelry
I wear a wedding ring.
Tire (verb) = to exhaust
This type of activity tires me.
Tire (noun) = the part of a wheel made of rubber
I bought a new tire for my bike.
Well (adjective) = ok, in a good state
I don´t feel very well.
Well (noun) = where water is collected from the ground
There is a well in the village.
