English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Acropolis

noun

A fortified hill at the center of an ancient Greek city, used as a defensive stronghold and often home to major temples.

across

prep

From one side of something to the other.

acrotarsium

noun

The instep, the upper front part of the foot.

acrotomophilia

noun

A sexual interest in people who have lost a limb.

acrylic

adj

Made from a synthetic resin or fiber derived from acrylic acid.

act

verb

To do something; to take action.

actin

noun

A protein that forms thin filaments inside cells, essential for muscle contraction and cell movement.

acting

adj

Temporarily performing the duties of another role or position.

actinide

noun

Any of a group of 15 radioactive chemical elements running from actinium to lawrencium, placed below the lanthanides in the periodic table because they share similar chemical properties.

actinium

noun

A radioactive metallic chemical element with the symbol Ac and atomic number 89.

actinon

noun

The radioactive isotope radon-219, also known by the symbol An.

action

noun

The process of doing something, especially to achieve a purpose.

action verb

noun

A verb that expresses something a subject does, either physically or mentally, such as run, throw, decide or imagine.

actionable

adj

Able to be acted on immediately, especially with practical steps.

activate

verb

To make something start working or become active.

activation

noun

The act of making something active or bringing it into use.

active

adj

Engaging in physical movement or exercise regularly.

actively

adv

In a way that involves energetic or deliberate effort, rather than passively.

activism

noun

The use of vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.

activist

noun

A person who campaigns energetically for social or political change.

activity

noun

The state of being busy or full of movement and action.

actor

noun

A person who performs roles in plays, films, or television shows.

actress

noun

A woman who performs roles in plays, films, or television shows.

actual

adj

Existing in reality; real, not just imagined or planned.

actualise

verb

A non-Oxford British English standard spelling of actualize.

actuality

noun

The fact or quality of being real, rather than theoretical or imagined.

actualization

noun

The process of turning something into a real, actual state.

actualize

verb

To turn something into reality; to make it actually happen.

actually

adv

In fact; used to indicate that something is true, especially when it may be surprising.

actuary

noun

(dated) An official who kept records, such as a registrar or clerk.

actuate

verb

To switch something on or set it moving.

actuation

noun

The act of starting something moving.

acuity

noun

Sharpness — of vision, hearing or thought.

acumen

noun

The ability to make quick, accurate judgments and decisions, especially in a particular field.

acupressure

noun

A complementary therapy, based on acupuncture, in which pressure is pressed onto specific points on the body.

acupuncture

noun

A traditional Chinese medical treatment involving inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, often used for pain relief.

acute

adj

Sudden and severe, especially describing an illness or pain.

acute angle

noun

An angle that measures more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

acutely

adv

To a severe or intense degree.

acuteness

noun

The quality of being sharp or pointed.

acyclical

adj

Not affected by the ups and downs of the wider economy.

ad

noun

An advertisement.

ad hoc

adjective

Created or done for one particular purpose only, rather than planned in advance or intended to last.

Ada

name

A female given name of Germanic origin, also an object-oriented programming language named after Ada Lovelace.

Adachi

name

A Japanese surname, also a special ward of Tokyo, Japan.

adage

noun

A short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of wisdom.

adah

name

The name of the wife of Lamech.

Adair

name

A male given name and Scottish surname derived from Scottish Gaelic, equivalent to English Edgar.

Adam

name

In the Bible, the first man created by God.

Adama

name

A city in Ethiopia, formerly the capital of the Oromia Region.

adamant

adj

Refusing to change one's mind or position; firmly determined.

adamantine

adj

Another word for adamant.

Adams

noun

A style of dry fishing fly commonly used to catch trout.

Adamson

name

A surname derived as a patronymic, meaning "son of Adam".

adapt

verb

To change something so it becomes suitable for a new purpose or situation.

adaptability

noun

The capacity to adjust easily to new conditions or requirements.

adaptable

adjective

Able to be changed or adjusted to fit new conditions.

adaptableness

noun

The quality of being able to adapt easily to new conditions.

adaptation

noun

The process of adjusting something, or of adjusting to a new situation.

adaptational

adj

Relating to adaptation, or to adjusting one thing to fit another.

adaptative

adj

Relating to adaptation; able to adapt.

adapted

adjective

Changed or modified to suit a new purpose, audience, or environment.

adaptedness

noun

The state of being well suited to something; fitness for a purpose.

adapter

noun

Someone who adjusts easily to new or changing circumstances.

adaptional

adj

Relating to adaptation, or to the process of adapting.

adaptitude

noun

The quality of being adaptable; a particular natural skill.

adaptive

adjective

Able to adjust or change in response to new conditions.

adarme

noun

An old Spanish unit of weight, equal to roughly 1.8 grams.

ADC

noun

In multiplayer online battle arena games such as League of Legends, the attack damage carry: the ranged character who deals sustained physical damage and is expected to become the team's main damage dealer late in the game. Also the bottom lane role that character plays.

add

verb

To combine numbers or amounts to get a total.

adda

noun

A casual place where people gather to chat.

Addams

name

A surname derived as a patronymic, a rare spelling variant of Adams.

addend

noun

In mathematics, a number or term that is added to another to make a sum.

addendum

noun

Something added on afterward, especially extra text attached to a document.

adder

noun

A small venomous snake found across Europe, including Britain, marked with a dark zigzag pattern down its back.

Adderall

name

A brand name for a prescription stimulant medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

addi

name

A female given name, a diminutive of Adelaide, Adrienne, Addison, or other names beginning with Ad-.

addict

noun

A person who is dependent on a harmful substance and cannot easily stop using it.

addicted

adjective

Physically or psychologically dependent on a substance, unable to stop easily.

addiction

noun

A strong, often harmful, compulsion to keep using a substance or repeating a behavior, even when it causes problems.

addictive

adjective

Causing a strong dependency, so that a person finds it hard to stop.

Addie

name

A diminutive of the female given names Adele, Adeline, Adelaide, or Addison or other names beginning with Ad-.

adding

noun

The act of combining numbers or things to increase a total.

Addis

name

A surname derived as a patronymic from a diminutive of Adam.

Addison

name

A surname and, in modern use, a popular given name for both sexes, also the name of several towns in the United States.

addition

noun

The arithmetic operation of combining numbers to find a total.

additional

adjective

Extra; added on top of what already exists.

additionally

adverb

As a further point; also.

additive

noun

A substance added to something else in small amounts to change or improve it.

additivity

noun

The quality something has when it is additive.

addle

adj

Spoiled and rotten, having stopped developing properly.

addled

adj

Of an egg, rotten and unable to hatch, containing a dead embryo.

addlehead

noun

A silly person who does not think clearly.

addlepated

adj

Confused, muddled and not thinking straight.

address

noun

The details of where a building or property is located, used for mail or navigation.

addressed

adjective

Marked or labeled with a specific address or recipient.

addressee

noun

The person or group that a letter or message is sent to.

addressing

noun

The practice of writing a name and address on mail, or the system used to locate information (as in computing).

adduce

verb

To give a reason, example or fact as evidence for an argument.

adduct

verb

(anatomy) To move a body part inwards, towards the centre line of the body.

adduction

noun

The act of giving something, such as an example, as evidence.

adductor

noun

A muscle that pulls a limb towards the middle of the body, or closes a part that was open.

addy

noun

(informal) Short for "address," especially an email or home address.

addyson

name

A female first name that came from a family name.

Ade

noun

A sweetened, often fizzy drink made from fruit juice.

Adel

name

A given name of Germanic or Arabic origin used for both sexes, also a German surname and several place names.

Adela

name

A female given name of Germanic origin, related to Adele.

Adelaide

name

A female given name of Germanic origin, also the state capital of South Australia, named for Queen Adelaide.

Adele

name

A female forename derived from the Germanic languages.

Adelina

name

A feminine given name, an elaborated form of Adele or Adelina found across several European languages.

Adeline

name

A feminine given name of Germanic origin, popular in English and French.

Adem

name

A surname of Amharic origin.

Aden

name

A major port city in Yemen, and the former capital of South Yemen.

adenoid

noun

A cluster of glandular (lymphoid) tissue behind the nose, at the top of the throat, that can enlarge and obstruct breathing in children.

adenoma

noun

A benign tumour that grows from, or looks like, glandular tissue.

adept

adjective

Very skilled or highly proficient at something.

adeptness

noun

Great skill at doing something.

adequacy

noun

The state of being enough, or good enough, to meet what is needed.

adequate

adjective

Enough to meet a need or requirement; sufficient.

adequately

adverb

In a way that is sufficient to meet a need.

adhan

noun

The Islamic call to prayer, usually recited by a muezzin before each of the five daily prayers.

ADHD

adjective

Relating to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a condition marked by inattention, impulsivity, and restlessness.

adhere

verb

To stick firmly to a surface.

adherence

noun

Sticking closely to a rule, agreement, treatment or set of standards.

adherent

noun

A person who supports a particular leader, party, religion or set of ideas.

adhesion

noun

The way one substance is able to stick firmly to a different substance.

adhesive

noun

A substance, such as glue, used to stick things together.

Adi

name

A short, informal form of names such as Adrian, Aditya, or Adit for men, or Adelaide, Adrienne, or Aditi for women.

adiaphanous

adj

Not letting light pass through; opaque.

Adidas

noun

Clothing or footwear made by the Adidas brand, especially trainers.

adie

name

A diminutive of the male given names Adam, Adrian, or Aidan, from Hebrew, Latin, or Irish.

adieu

intj

Said when parting from someone, especially for a long time or for good; goodbye.

Adina

name

A feminine given name of Hebrew origin.

adios

intj

Goodbye — a casual, Spanish-derived way to say farewell.

Aditi

name

In Hindu mythology, the mother goddess, wife of Kashyapa and mother of the Adityas (solar deities).

Aditya

noun

In Hindu mythology, any of a group of solar deities descended from Aditi and Kashyapa.

adjacency

noun

The state of being next to something else, close enough to touch it.

adjacent

adj

Right next to something else, or sharing a border with it.

adjectify

verb

To turn a word that is not already an adjective into one.

adjectival

adjective

Relating to an adjective or working in the way an adjective does.

adjective

noun

A word that describes or modifies a noun, such as "tall," "blue," or "happy."

adjectivize

verb

To change a word so that it becomes an adjective.

adjoin

verb

To be next to and touching something else.

adjoining

adj

Touching or connected at a shared point, line, or wall; next door.

adjourn

verb

To pause or end a meeting, trial, or event, often to resume it later.

adjourned

adj

Having been paused or suspended, usually to resume at a later time.

adjournment

noun

The act of pausing or ending a meeting or session, or the period during which it is paused.

adjudge

verb

To state officially that something is the case.

adjudication

noun

The formal process of hearing a dispute and giving a binding decision on it.

adjunct

noun

Something added or attached to a main thing, in a lesser role.