English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

affect

verb

To influence or make a difference to something.

affected

adj

Changed or influenced by something, often negatively.

affecting

adj

Causing strong emotion, especially sadness or sympathy.

affection

noun

A feeling of fondness, warmth, or love toward someone.

affectionate

adj

Showing warmth, fondness, or love readily and openly.

affectionately

adv

In a warm, loving, or fond manner.

affidavit

noun

A written statement made under oath, used as evidence in legal matters.

affiliate

noun

A person, company, or organisation formally connected to a larger group or network.

affiliated

adj

Officially connected to or associated with a larger organisation.

affiliation

noun

A formal connection or association between one group or person and another.

affinity

noun

A natural liking, attraction, or sense of connection toward someone or something.

affirm

verb

To state something confidently and firmly as true.

affirmation

noun

A statement declaring that something is true; the act of confirming something firmly.

affirmative

adj

Expressing agreement, confirmation, or a "yes" answer.

Affleck

name

A surname of Scottish origin.

afflicted

adj

Suffering from pain, illness, or hardship.

affliction

noun

A condition or event that causes ongoing pain, suffering, or hardship.

affluent

adj

Having a lot of money or material wealth.

afford

verb

To have enough money, time, or resources for something.

affordable

adj

Priced at a level most people can reasonably pay.

affront

noun

An action or remark that deliberately insults or offends someone.

Afghan

adj

Relating to Afghanistan or its people and culture.

afghani

noun

The official currency of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

name

A landlocked country in Central and South Asia, with Kabul as its capital.

aficionado

noun

A person with a strong, informed enthusiasm for a particular hobby or interest.

afield

adv

Away from home or from a familiar starting point, often over a distance.

afire

adj

On fire, whether literally or as a figure of speech for strong emotion.

aflame

adj

On fire or burning, often used figuratively for strong emotion or excitement.

afloat

adj

Floating on the surface of water rather than sinking.

afoot

adv

Happening, in progress, or being planned, often secretly.

afore

adv

Before, in time or in position (old-fashioned or dialectal).

aforementioned

adj

Referred to or named earlier in the same document or conversation.

afraid

adj

Feeling fear; frightened.

afresh

adv

Once more, from the beginning; anew.

Africa

name

The second-largest continent, bordered by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean.

African

adj

Relating to or coming from the continent of Africa.

afro

noun

A rounded, voluminous hairstyle of tightly curled hair.

aft

adv

At or toward the back (stern) of a ship, boat, or aircraft.

after

prep

Later in time than; following.

afterlife

noun

A form of existence believed to continue after physical death.

aftermath

noun

The period or situation that results from a significant, usually damaging, event.

afternoon

noun

The part of the day between noon and evening.

afternoons

adv

Regularly, on afternoons; each afternoon as a habit.

aftershave

noun

A scented lotion applied to the face after shaving.

aftershock

noun

A smaller earthquake that follows a larger one in the same area.

aftertaste

noun

A taste that lingers in the mouth after eating or drinking something.

afterthought

noun

Something thought of or added later, often as a minor addition rather than part of the original plan.

afterwards

adv

At a later time; subsequently.

ag

intj

An exclamation of mild annoyance, regret, or surprise (similar to "oh" or "ah").

Aga

noun

A large, heavy cast-iron cooking range that stays permanently hot, popular in British kitchens.

again

adv

One more time; once more.

against

prep

In opposition to; contrary to.

Agamemnon

name

In Greek mythology, the king of Mycenae who led the Greek forces in the Trojan War.

Agatha

name

A feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "good."

age

noun

The length of time someone or something has existed, usually counted in years.

aged

adj

Old, especially elderly.

ageing

noun

The process of growing older.

ageless

adj

Never seeming to grow old; appearing eternally youthful.

agency

noun

A business or organization that provides a particular service, often acting on behalf of others.

agenda

noun

A list of items to be discussed or dealt with, especially at a meeting.

agent

noun

A person who acts on behalf of another, especially in business or legal matters.

aggie

noun

A playing marble made of, or resembling, agate.

aggravate

verb

To make a bad situation, problem, or injury worse.

aggravated

adj

Made more serious by additional harmful factors, especially in a legal context.

aggravating

adj

Making a situation or problem worse.

aggravation

noun

The act of making something worse, or a factor that does so.

aggregate

noun

A total formed by combining several separate amounts or items.

aggression

noun

Hostile or violent behavior, especially the starting of a conflict or attack.

aggressive

adj

Ready or likely to attack or confront; hostile.

aggressively

adv

In a hostile, forceful, or determined manner.

aggressiveness

noun

The quality or state of being aggressive.

aggressor

noun

The person, group, or country that starts an attack or conflict.

aggrieved

adj

Angry or upset because you feel you have been treated unfairly.

aggro

noun

British informal: trouble, hassle, or aggressive confrontation.

agh

intj

An exclamation of mild horror, disgust, or frustration.

agha

noun

An honorific title for high-ranking officials, used historically in Turkey and other Muslim regions.

agile

adj

Able to move quickly and easily; nimble.

agility

noun

The ability to move quickly, easily, and with control.

aging

noun

The natural process of growing older.

agitate

verb

To make someone anxious, upset, or unsettled.

agitated

adj

Anxious, upset, or unable to stay calm.

agitation

noun

A state of anxiety, restlessness, or emotional disturbance.

agitator

noun

Someone who stirs up strong feelings or pushes others toward political action, often seen as a troublemaker.

aglow

adj

Glowing, or radiant with warmth, light, or emotion.

Agnes

name

A feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "pure" or "chaste."

Agnew

name

A surname of Scottish or Irish origin.

agnostic

adj

Believing it is impossible to know for certain whether God or gods exist.

ago

adv

Used after a period of time to mean "before now."

agonizing

adj

Causing severe physical or mental pain.

agony

noun

Extreme physical pain or mental suffering.

agora

noun

An open public gathering place or marketplace in an ancient Greek city.

agra

name

A large city in Uttar Pradesh, India, home to the Taj Mahal.

agrarian

adj

Relating to farming, farmland, or rural life.

agree

verb

To share the same opinion as someone else.

agreeable

adj

Pleasant and easy to like.

agreed

adj

Settled or decided by mutual consent.

agreeing

noun

The act of coming to a shared opinion or arrangement.

agreement

noun

A shared understanding or arrangement between two or more people or groups.

agricultural

adj

Relating to farming or the production of crops and livestock.

agriculture

noun

The practice of growing crops and raising animals for food and other products.

Agrippa

name

A Latin family name (cognomen) borne by several notable Romans, including the statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Judean kings mentioned in the Bible.

Agrippina

name

A Roman feminine name, borne notably by the mother of Emperor Nero and the mother of Emperor Caligula.

aground

adj

Of a boat or ship, stuck on the bottom of shallow water or on the shore.

Aguilar

name

A surname of Spanish origin, especially common in Mexico.

Aguilera

name

A surname of Spanish origin.

Aguirre

name

A surname of Basque origin, via Spanish.

Agustin

name

A Spanish-language male given name, the Spanish form of Augustine.

ah

intj

An exclamation showing relief, understanding, surprise, or realization, depending on tone.

aha

intj

An exclamation of sudden understanding, discovery, or realization.

Ahab

name

A king of ancient Israel described in the Hebrew Bible, remembered for his conflicts with the prophet Elijah.

ahead

adv

In front, or in the direction someone is facing or moving.

ahem

intj

A sound made to clear the throat, often to get someone's attention or hint at something without saying it directly.

ahi

noun

Yellowfin tuna, especially as served raw or seared in Hawaiian and Pacific-influenced cooking.

ahjussi

noun

A middle-aged or older Korean man, especially one addressed informally or affectionately.

Ahmad

noun

A male given name of Arabic or Persian origin, meaning "most praiseworthy."

Ahmadi

adjective

Relating to the Ahmadiyya movement, a religious community that grew out of Sunni Islam in the 19th century.

Ahmed

noun

A male given name of Arabic origin, a variant of Ahmad, meaning "most praiseworthy."

Ahn

noun

A Korean surname.

ahold

noun

A grip or hold on something (usually in the phrase "get ahold of").

ahoy

interjection

A call used to hail a ship or attract someone's attention, especially at sea.

ai

noun

Artificial intelligence; computer systems designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.

aid

verb

To help or support someone, or to make something easier.

aida

noun

A female given name, made famous by Verdi's opera of the same name.

Aidan

noun

A male given name of Irish origin, also used occasionally for girls.

aide

noun

A person who assists someone, especially in a professional or political role.

Aiden

noun

A male given name, a common spelling variant of Aidan.

aiding

noun

The act of helping or assisting someone.

AIDS

adjective

Slang for extremely annoying or frustrating.

Aiken

noun

A surname, originally derived from the given name Adam.

Aileen

noun

A female given name of Irish origin, a variant of Eileen.

ailing

adjective

Sick or unwell, often over a long period.

ailment

noun

An illness, especially a minor or ongoing one.

aim

verb

To point a weapon or object at a target.

aimed

adjective

Directed or targeted toward something.

Aimee

noun

A female given name of French origin, meaning "beloved."

aiming

noun

The act of pointing something at a target, or of working toward a goal.

aimless

adjective

Lacking a clear purpose or direction.

aimlessly

adverb

In a manner without purpose or direction.

ain

determiner

A dialectal or archaic word for "own," meaning belonging to oneself.

Ainsley

noun

A surname of Old English origin, also used as a unisex given name.

air

noun

The mixture of gases that makes up Earth's atmosphere, which we breathe.

airbag

noun

A safety device in a vehicle that inflates instantly in a crash to cushion occupants.

airborne

adjective

Flying, or carried through the air.

airbrush

noun

A small handheld tool that sprays paint using compressed air, used for fine artwork or photo retouching.

aircraft

noun

Any vehicle capable of flying through the air, such as an airplane or helicopter.

aired

adjective

Having been broadcast on television or radio.

airfare

noun

The cost of a plane ticket.

airfield

noun

An open area set up for aircraft to take off and land, usually smaller and less developed than an airport.

airhead

noun

An informal, mildly insulting term for a foolish or unintelligent person.

airing

noun

A broadcast of a television or radio programme.