English dictionary — definitions & meanings

arguability

noun

The quality or degree of being arguable.

arguable

adj

That can be argued; that can be proven or strongly supported with sound logical deduction, precedent, and evidence.

arguably

adverb

Based on reasonable evidence or argument, though not beyond dispute.

argue

verb

To exchange differing opinions, often heatedly.

arguing

noun

The act of disagreeing with someone, often heatedly, or of putting forward reasons to support a position.

argument

noun

A reason or set of reasons given to support a conclusion.

argumentary

adj

argumentative; based on argument

argumentation

noun

Inference based on reasoning from given propositions.

argumentative

adjective

Tending to argue or disagree, often over small things.

argumentive

adj

Being or presenting an argument or line of reasoning.

Argus

noun

A watchful guardian who misses nothing.

argyle

noun

A knitted pattern of overlapping diamond shapes, often in multiple colours.

argyll

name

A former county of Scotland, now incorporated into Argyll and Bute.

ari

name

A male given name from Hebrew, of Jewish usage, variant of Arieh (also transcribed as Aryeh, Arye).

aria

noun

An elaborate melody sung by a single voice, typically in an opera.

Ariadne

name

A feminine given name from Greek mythology, borne by the princess who helped Theseus escape the labyrinth.

Ariana

name

A feminine given name of Latin origin, related to Ariadne, meaning "most holy".

Ariane

name

A feminine given name, the French form of Ariadne; also the name of a European rocket program.

arianism

noun

A Christological doctrine, condemned as heretical by the First Council of Nicaea, which holds that Jesus was created by God, rather than being God himself.

Arianna

name

A feminine given name, an Italian variant of Ariadne.

Arias

name

A Spanish surname of uncertain origin, common throughout Latin America and Spain.

ariba

interjection

A common misspelling of the Spanish arriba, shouted as a cry of encouragement, celebration or delight, roughly equivalent to 'up you go!' or 'yeah!'.

arid

adjective

Very dry, especially describing land or climate with little rainfall.

aridity

noun

A long-term lack of rainfall or moisture.

Ariel

noun

A male or female given name of Hebrew origin, literally meaning "lion of God."

Aries

noun

The first sign of the zodiac, represented by a ram and covering roughly late March to late April.

arigato

interjection

"Thank you" — used in English to evoke or reference Japanese, often informally or humorously.

aright

adverb

Correctly, properly, or in the right way.

ariolater

noun

one who practices the art of divination and uses interpretation to produce omens.

aris

noun

Cockney rhyming slang for the buttocks.

arise

verb

To come into being, appear, or start happening.

arising

noun

The act or process of something coming into being or occurring.

Aristide

name

A masculine given name of Greek origin, meaning "best" or "excellent", notably borne by Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

aristocracy

noun

The hereditary upper class of a society, typically holding titles and inherited privilege.

aristocrat

noun

A member of the aristocracy or nobility.

aristocratic

adjective

Belonging to, or typical of, the aristocracy — noble, refined, or privileged in bearing.

Aristotle

name

A male given name, most famously borne by the ancient Greek philosopher (384-322 BCE) who was a student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great.

arithmetic

noun

The branch of mathematics dealing with basic operations on numbers: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

arithmetical

adj

Of or pertaining to arithmetic, particularly the functions of arithmetic (noun; stress on the second syllable).

Arjun

name

A male given name of Sanskrit origin, popular in India.

Arjuna

name

A major hero of the Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata, and a male given name derived from him.

ark

noun

The large boat built by Noah in the Bible story, used to save his family and pairs of animals from a great flood.

arkansa

name

Archaic form of Arkansas (“river in the United States”).

Arkansas

name

A state in the south-central United States, capital Little Rock.

arkwright

noun

Historically, a person who made chests or cabinets (an "ark-wright").

arleen

name

A female given name originating as a coinage, variant of Arlene.

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.

arline

name

A female given name originating as a coinage, of older usage, variant of Arlene.

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.

armlet

noun

A band worn on the arm for ornamental or identification purposes.

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.

arpent

noun

A premetric French unit of length, having various official measures (from 58 to 72 meters).

arr

intj

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

arraign

verb

To officially charge someone in a court of law.

arraignment

noun

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

arran

name

Ellipsis of Isle of Arran, Scotland.

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.

arranger

noun

One who arranges.

arranging

noun

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

arrant

adj

Complete; downright; utter.

arras

noun

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

arratel

noun

A traditional Portuguese unit of mass, usually equivalent to 459 g.

array

noun

A large, impressive, or organized collection of things.

arread

verb

To declare; tell; interpret; explain.

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."

arriver

noun

One who arrives; usually, one who arrives in a specified way.

arriviste

noun

An upstart or newcomer; nouveau riche; parvenu; an ambitious, brash or arrogant person who has yet to integrate with his or her new social group.

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.

arrogate

verb

To appropriate or lay claim to something for oneself without right.

arrogation

noun

The unjust assumption of rights or privilege.

arron

name

A male given name from Hebrew, a less common spelling of Aaron.

arrow

noun

A thin, pointed shaft shot from a bow.

arrowhead

noun

The sharpened tip of an arrow.

arrowsmith

noun

A smith who made the iron tips for arrows.

arroyo

noun

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

arsacia

name

Synonym of Ray (“a region and satrapy in ancient Iran located between the Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges and the Dasht-e Kavir desert.”)

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).

arselong

adv

Backwards; on one's arse.

arsenal

noun

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

arsenic

noun

A toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning.

arsenical

adj

Of or pertaining to, or containing, arsenic.

arsenous

adj

of, related to, or derived from arsenic, especially in an oxidation state of three; arsenious

arson

noun

The crime of deliberately setting fire to property.

arsonist

noun

A person who deliberately sets fire to property.

arsphenamine

noun

A phenolic amine derivative of arsenic that was used to treat syphilis (under the trade name of Salvarsan).

art

noun

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

artagnan

name

A commune of Vic-en-Bigorre canton, Tarbes arrondissement, Hautes-Pyrénées department, Occitania, France.

artaxerxes

name

The name of several Achaemenid kings of Persia.

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.