English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Arlen

name

A given name and surname, possibly derived from a Gaelic word meaning "pledge".

Arlena

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Arlene.

Arlene

name

A feminine given name of uncertain origin, popularized in the early twentieth century, possibly related to Charlene.

Arlington

name

A place name shared by several towns in the United States, most notably Arlington, Virginia, home to Arlington National Cemetery.

Arlo

name

A masculine given name of uncertain origin, possibly related to the Spanish word "Carlos" or a Germanic root meaning "army".

arm

noun

The part of the human body running from the shoulder down to the hand.

armada

noun

A large fleet of warships, especially one sent out on a major campaign.

armadillo

noun

A burrowing mammal native to the Americas, covered in tough, jointed armor-like plates.

Armageddon

noun

A final, decisive battle on a massive scale, especially one imagined as ending the world.

armament

noun

Weapons and military equipment, especially considered collectively.

Armand

name

A masculine given name, the French form of Herman, meaning "army man".

Armando

name

A masculine given name, the Italian and Spanish form of Armand.

Armani

noun

A garment or accessory made by the Italian fashion house Armani, often used loosely to mean any expensive, designer clothing.

armband

noun

A band worn around the upper arm, often as a symbol (mourning, protest) or to mark a team captain.

armchair

noun

A chair with side supports for resting the arms.

armed

adjective

Carrying or equipped with a weapon.

Armenia

name

A landlocked country in the South Caucasus region, capital Yerevan.

Armenian

adjective

Relating to Armenia, its people, language, or alphabet.

Armin

name

A male given name of German origin, derived from the Latin name Arminius.

arming

noun

The act of equipping oneself or others with weapons or armour in preparation for conflict.

armistice

noun

A formal agreement between opposing sides to stop fighting.

Armitage

name

An English surname, originally referring to someone who lived near a hermitage.

armoire

noun

A tall, freestanding cupboard or wardrobe, often ornately built, used for storing clothes or other items.

armor

noun

A protective covering, worn or fitted, that shields a body, vehicle, or object from damage.

armored

adj

Fitted or covered with a protective layer of armor.

armory

noun

A building where weapons are stored, made, or kept for training; also, a collection of weapons.

armour

noun

British spelling of armor: a protective covering for a person, vehicle, or object.

armoured

adj

British spelling of "armored": fitted or covered with protective armor.

armoury

noun

British spelling of "armory": a place where weapons are stored, made, or kept, or a collection of weapons.

armpit

noun

The hollow under the shoulder where the arm joins the body.

arms

noun

Weapons, especially firearms, considered collectively.

Armstrong

name

A surname of Scottish and English origin, meaning "strong in the arm", notably borne by astronaut Neil Armstrong.

army

noun

A large organized force trained and equipped for warfare, especially on land.

Arn

name

A short masculine given name of Scandinavian origin, related to Arnold.

Arne

name

A masculine given name common in Scandinavia, derived from an Old Norse word meaning "eagle".

Arnett

name

An English surname, likely derived from a place name meaning "eagle's nest".

Arnie

name

A masculine given name, an informal short form of Arnold.

Arno

name

A given name and also the name of a river in Tuscany, Italy, that runs through Florence and Pisa.

Arnold

name

A masculine given name and surname of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler with eagle-like strength".

Arnott

name

A Scottish surname, also known from the Australian biscuit company Arnott's.

aroma

noun

A distinctive, usually pleasant smell.

aromatherapy

noun

The use of scented plant oils, believed to improve mood or wellbeing, typically through massage or inhalation.

aromatic

adj

Having a strong, usually pleasant smell; fragrant or spicy.

Aron

noun

The cabinet used in a synagogue to house the Torah scrolls.

Arora

noun

A member of the Sindhi/Punjabi subcaste of kshatriya.

around

prep

Positioned so as to surround or encircle something.

arousal

noun

The state of being stimulated or excited, whether emotionally, mentally, or sexually.

arouse

verb

To stir up or bring about a feeling, reaction, or interest.

aroused

adj

Sexually excited.

arousing

adj

Causing excitement, interest, or sexual stimulation.

arr

intj

An exclamation used to imitate the way pirates supposedly talk, often as a stand-in for "yes" or a growl of agreement.

arraignment

noun

A court hearing where a defendant is formally told the charges against them and enters a plea.

arrange

verb

To put things into a particular order or position.

arranged

adj

Set up or organized beforehand, especially describing a marriage decided by family rather than the couple.

arrangement

noun

The way something is organized, positioned, or laid out.

arranging

noun

The act of organizing or putting things into order, or of adapting music for other instruments.

arras

noun

A large, decorative tapestry, especially one hung on a wall.

array

noun

A large, impressive, or organized collection of things.

arrears

noun

Money that is owed and overdue, especially rent, wages, or payments.

arrest

verb

To take someone into custody under legal authority, typically on suspicion of a crime.

arrested

adj

Taken into police custody, or charged with a crime.

arresting

adj

Very striking or attention-grabbing.

arrhythmia

noun

An irregular or abnormal heartbeat, where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or unevenly.

arrival

noun

The act of reaching a place or the moment someone or something gets there.

arrive

verb

To reach a place after travelling.

arrivederci

intj

An Italian way of saying goodbye, used in English to mean "see you again" or "until we meet."

arrogance

noun

An excessive sense of one's own importance, often shown through disrespect for others.

arrogant

adj

Having an inflated opinion of oneself, usually paired with contempt for others.

arrow

noun

A thin, pointed shaft shot from a bow.

arrowhead

noun

The sharpened tip of an arrow.

arroyo

noun

A dry streambed or gully that only fills with water after heavy rain.

arse

noun

The buttocks; the backside.

arsed

adj

Bothered enough to make the effort (almost always used in the negative, "can't be arsed").

arsehole

noun

The anus (a coarse term).

arsenal

noun

A place where weapons and ammunition are made, stored, or repaired.

arsenic

noun

A toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning.

arson

noun

The crime of deliberately setting fire to property.

arsonist

noun

A person who deliberately sets fire to property.

art

noun

Creative work — such as painting, music, or sculpture — made to be beautiful or to express emotion.

artefact

noun

An object made by a person, especially one of historical or cultural interest.

Artemis

name

The Greek goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and the moon, sister of Apollo.

arterial

adj

Relating to an artery, or (of blood) carried by arteries.

artery

noun

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

artful

adj

Clever and skilful, often in a way that shows careful thought or design.

arthritis

noun

Painful inflammation and stiffness in one or more joints.

Arthur

name

A male given name, traditionally linked to the legendary King Arthur of British folklore.

artichoke

noun

A thistle-like plant whose unopened flower bud is eaten as a vegetable.

article

noun

A piece of writing on a particular topic, published in a newspaper, magazine, or online.

articles

noun

A formal legal or contractual document setting out specific terms, often used of training agreements.

articulate

adj

Able to express thoughts clearly and fluently in speech or writing.

articulated

adj

Built with a joint or hinge that allows bending, especially describing vehicles made of linked sections.

Artie

name

A casual short form of the name Arthur.

artificial

adj

Made by humans rather than occurring naturally.

artificially

adv

In a manner that is man-made or not natural.

artillery

noun

Large guns used in warfare, or the branch of an army that operates them.

artisan

noun

A skilled worker who makes things by hand using traditional techniques.

artisanal

adj

Made by hand using traditional skills, typically in small quantities.

artist

noun

A person who creates art, such as paintings, drawings, or sculpture.

artiste

noun

A professional performer, especially a singer, dancer, or entertainer.

artistic

adj

Relating to art, or showing creative skill and good taste.

artistically

adv

In a way that shows artistic skill or creative flair.

artistry

noun

Great skill and creativity in a craft or art form.

Artois

name

A historical region in northern France, also known from the Stella Artois beer brand.

arts

noun

The academic subjects that study human culture, thought, and expression — languages, literature, history, and philosophy — as opposed to the sciences.

Artur

name

A masculine given name, a Central and Eastern European form of Arthur.

artwork

noun

A piece of visual art, such as a painting, drawing, or sculpture.

arty

adj

Having a strong interest in or affinity for the arts.

Aruba

name

A small Caribbean island and constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

arugula

noun

A peppery salad green, also called rocket, with a distinctive sharp, slightly bitter flavor.

Arun

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "dawn" or "reddish-brown".

Arvid

name

A masculine given name of Scandinavian origin, meaning "eagle tree".

Arvin

name

A masculine given name, an American variant of Arvind or Erwin.

Arvind

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "lotus".

arvo

noun

Afternoon (Australian and New Zealand slang).

Arya

noun

A member of the historical Indo-Iranian peoples who spoke early Indo-European languages; used in a strictly linguistic/historical sense.

Aryan

noun

In linguistics, a now largely retired term for the Indo-Iranian branch of languages, or more loosely the wider Indo-European language family.

as

conj

Used to compare two things that are equal, alike, or happening at the same time.

Asa

name

A masculine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "physician" or "healer".

Asad

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "lion".

Asahi

name

A Japanese given name and surname meaning "morning sun", also a well-known beer brand.

Asako

name

A Japanese feminine given name, often meaning "morning child".

Asano

name

A Japanese surname meaning "shallow field", historically borne by a prominent samurai clan.

asbestos

noun

A group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals once widely used for fireproofing and insulation, now known to cause serious lung disease when inhaled.

ascend

verb

To move or climb upward.

ascendant

adj

Rising in power, influence, or status; dominant.

ascending

adj

Increasing step by step; rising in order from lowest to highest.

ascension

noun

The act of rising or moving upward, especially to a position of power or a higher spiritual state.

ascent

noun

The act of climbing or rising, or the route by which one climbs.

ascertain

verb

To find out or establish something for certain, usually through checking or investigation.

ascetic

adj

Practicing strict self-discipline and avoiding physical comforts or pleasures, often for spiritual reasons.

Ascot

name

A town in England famous for its horse racing, and the source of the term for a wide neck scarf.

asexual

adj

Not experiencing sexual attraction to others.

Asgard

name

In Norse mythology, the realm of the gods, home to Odin and Thor.

ash

noun

The gray powdery residue left after something has burned.

Asha

noun

In Zoroastrianism, the principle of truth, order, and rightness that governs the universe.

ashamed

adj

Feeling shame, embarrassment, or guilt over something one has done or been associated with.

Ashcroft

name

An English surname and place name meaning "ash tree croft" or "ash tree field".

Ashe

name

An English surname derived from residence near an ash tree, notably borne by tennis player Arthur Ashe.

Asher

name

The eighth son of Jacob, by his wife's handmaid Zilpah.

Ashford

name

An English surname and place name meaning "ford by the ash trees", also a town in Kent.

Ashish

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "blessing" or "one who blesses".

Ashland

name

A place name shared by numerous towns in the United States, most named for their ash groves.

Ashlee

name

A female given name, a spelling variant of Ashley.

Ashleigh

name

A given name, used for both boys and girls, another spelling variant of Ashley.

Ashley

name

A given name, used for both men and women, originally taken from an English surname and place name.

Ashok

name

A male given name of Indian origin, popular in Hindi-speaking regions.

ashore

adv

On dry land, rather than on a boat or ship.

ashram

noun

A retreat or community, often in a secluded setting, where people live under the guidance of a spiritual teacher.

Ashton

name

A surname and a common English place name, found in villages and towns across England.

ashtray

noun

A small dish or container used to hold ash and cigarette butts.