English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

alienation

noun

The feeling of being isolated or estranged from other people or society.

alight

verb

To get off a vehicle or dismount from an animal.

align

verb

To arrange things in a straight line or so their edges match up.

aligned

adj

Arranged in a straight line, or in agreement with something else.

aligning

noun

The act or process of arranging things into a line or into agreement; an alignment.

alignment

noun

The arrangement of things in a straight line, or the state of being correctly positioned relative to each other.

alike

adj

Similar or resembling one another.

alimony

noun

Financial support that one former spouse is legally required to pay the other after a divorce or separation.

Alina

name

A female given name of Germanic origin.

aline

name

A female given name of French origin, a variant of Aline/Alina.

Alisa

name

A female given name, a Finnish and Russian equivalent of Alice.

Alisha

name

A female given name, a modern spelling variant of Alicia.

Alison

name

A female given name of Germanic origin, brought into English via Old French as a diminutive related to Alice.

Alissa

name

A female given name, a variant spelling of Alyssa.

Alistair

name

A male given name from Scottish Gaelic, ultimately derived from Alexander.

alive

adjective

Living; not dead.

alkaline

adjective

Having the chemical properties of an alkali; basic rather than acidic.

all

determiner

Every one of; the whole amount, quantity, or extent of.

Alla

name

A female given name common in Russia and Ukraine.

Allah

name

The Arabic name for God, used in Islamic and Arabic contexts.

Allan

name

A male given name and surname of Celtic origin, a variant spelling of Alan, also a town in Saskatchewan, Canada.

allegation

noun

A claim or accusation made without proof that it is true.

alleged

adjective

Claimed or stated to be true, without yet being proven.

allegedly

adverb

According to what is claimed or reported, without confirmation that it is true.

allegiance

noun

Loyalty or duty owed to a country, leader, cause, or group.

alleging

verb

Claiming that something is true, usually without yet offering proof — especially in a legal or formal accusation.

allegory

noun

A story, picture, or other work whose characters and events stand for a deeper, often moral or political, meaning.

Allegra

name

A female given name and surname of Italian origin, meaning "cheerful".

allegro

noun

A musical tempo marking meaning fast and lively, or a passage played at that speed.

alleluia

interjection

An expression of praise or joy, especially in religious worship; a variant of "hallelujah."

Allen

name

An English and Scottish surname and male given name derived from Alan, also the name of numerous towns in the United States.

Allenby

name

A surname, also a former mining town in British Columbia, Canada.

Allende

name

A Spanish surname, borne notably by Chilean president Salvador Allende and author Isabel Allende.

allergic

adjective

Having an allergy to something; reacting badly to a particular substance.

allergy

noun

A condition in which the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, causing symptoms such as sneezing, rashes, or swelling.

alleviate

verb

To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.

alley

noun

A narrow passage or street between or behind buildings.

alleyway

noun

A narrow lane or passage between buildings.

alliance

noun

A formal agreement or partnership between countries, groups, or people to work together for a shared goal.

Allie

name

A diminutive of given names beginning with Al-, such as Alison, Alexandra, Alfred, or Alan, used for both sexes.

allied

adjective

United by agreement or common purpose, especially as partners against a common opponent.

Allies

name

The nations allied against the Central Powers in World War I or the Axis Powers in World War II.

alligator

noun

A large reptile with powerful jaws and a broad snout, found mainly in the southeastern United States and China.

Allison

name

A surname and, since the 1940s, a popular female given name, a variant of Alison.

allo

adjective

Experiencing sexual and/or romantic attraction toward others, as opposed to being asexual or aromantic.

allocate

verb

To set aside or assign something for a particular purpose.

allocated

adjective

Assigned or set aside for a specific purpose.

allocation

noun

The act of assigning something, especially money or resources, for a particular purpose.

allot

verb

To give out or assign a share of something to each person or purpose.

allotment

noun

A share or portion of something that has been assigned.

allow

verb

To give permission for something to happen.

allowance

noun

A fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses.

allowed

adj

Permitted; given official or personal approval to happen or be done.

alloy

noun

A metal made by melting and mixing two or more elements together, at least one of which is a metal.

alls

determiner

A nonstandard or dialectal form of "all," used the same way.

allure

noun

A powerful, attractive charm or appeal that draws people in.

alluring

adj

Highly attractive or tempting; having a strong pull.

ally

noun

A person, group, or country that supports and cooperates with another, especially against a common opponent.

Allyson

name

A female given name of Germanic origin, a variant of Alison.

alma

noun

A historical term for a professional Egyptian singer or dancer hired for entertainment.

almanac

noun

An annual publication listing dates, astronomical events, weather predictions, and other useful yearly information.

Almeida

name

A Portuguese surname.

almighty

adj

Having unlimited power; all-powerful.

almond

noun

The edible seed of the almond tree, eaten as a nut, or the tree itself.

almost

adv

Very close to a state or amount, but not quite reaching it.

alms

noun

Money, food, or other help given to the poor as charity.

aloe

noun

A succulent plant, especially aloe vera, whose gel is used to soothe skin, or the plant genus itself.

aloft

adv

Up in the air or sky; overhead, in a high place.

aloha

intj

A Hawaiian greeting or farewell, expressing warmth and goodwill; used for both "hello" and "goodbye".

alone

adj

By oneself, without other people present.

along

prep

Following the length of something; from one end toward the other.

alongside

prep

Next to, beside, or together with.

Alonso

name

A male given name and surname of Spanish origin, a variant of Alfonso.

Alonzo

name

A male given name, a variant of Alfonso.

aloof

adj

Distant or reserved in manner, keeping oneself apart emotionally or socially.

aloud

adv

Using a spoken, audible voice rather than silently.

Aloysius

name

A male given name, associated with the 16th-century Italian saint Aloysius Gonzaga.

alpaca

noun

A domesticated South American animal related to the llama, valued for its soft wool, or the wool/fabric made from it.

Alpha

noun

The first letter of the Greek alphabet, often used to mean "first" or "primary".

alphabet

noun

The full set of letters used to write a language, usually arranged in a fixed order.

alphabetical

adj

Arranged in the order of the letters of the alphabet, from A to Z.

alphabetically

adv

In alphabetical order, following the A-to-Z sequence of letters.

Alphonse

name

A male given name of Germanic origin, the French form of Alfonso.

alpine

adj

Relating to the Alps or to high mountains in general.

Alps

name

A major mountain range in Western Europe stretching from France to Slovenia, home to Mont Blanc, its highest peak.

already

adv

By this time, or by a specified earlier time; previously.

alright

intj

Used to show agreement, acceptance, or acknowledgement; okay.

alrighty

intj

A cheerful, informal way of saying "okay" or "alright".

Alsace

name

A historical and cultural region in northeastern France, on the border with Germany, known for its wine and distinct Franco-German heritage.

Alsatian

adj

Relating to Alsace, the region in northeastern France.

also

adv

In addition; as well; too.

alt

noun

A keyboard modifier key used together with other keys to trigger alternate commands.

altar

noun

A raised table or structure used for religious ceremonies, offerings, or worship.

alter

verb

To change something, especially in a fairly small or specific way.

alteration

noun

A change made to something, or the act of making that change.

altercation

noun

A noisy or angry argument, often in public.

altered

adj

Changed from its original form or condition.

altering

verb

Present participle of "alter" — in the process of changing something.

alternate

adj

Happening in turns, first one thing then the other, repeatedly.

alternating

adj

Switching back and forth between two states or values in a repeating pattern.

alternative

adj

Offering a different choice from what is usual or expected.

alternatively

adv

Used to introduce a different option or possibility.

alternator

noun

A device that generates alternating electrical current, typically by mechanical rotation.

althea

noun

Any of several flowering plants related to the hollyhock and mallow.

although

conj

Despite the fact that; used to introduce a contrast or concession.

altimeter

noun

An instrument used to measure altitude, especially in aircraft.

altitude

noun

The height of something above sea level or the ground.

Altman

name

A surname of German or Jewish origin.

alto

noun

A singing voice or vocal part that sits between tenor and soprano.

altogether

adv

Completely; entirely.

Alton

name

An English surname and male given name, also the name of numerous towns in England and the United States.

altruism

noun

Selfless concern for the wellbeing of others, often shown through helpful action.

altruistic

adj

Showing genuine concern for others rather than oneself; unselfish.

Alucard

name

A male given name coined for fiction, commonly used for vampire or Dracula-related characters.

alum

noun

A crystalline mineral salt of aluminium, traditionally used in dyeing, tanning, and as an astringent.

aluminium

noun

A lightweight, silvery-white metallic chemical element, symbol Al, widely used in packaging, construction, and vehicles.

aluminum

noun

The American, Canadian, and Philippine spelling of aluminium, the lightweight silvery metal.

alumni

noun

Former students or graduates of a school, college, or university, considered as a group.

Alva

name

A male given name, also a small town in Scotland and the name of several places in the United States.

Alvarado

name

A Spanish surname, also the name of several places in the Americas named after Spanish settlers.

Alvarez

name

A Spanish surname.

Alvey

name

A surname.

Alvin

name

A male given name of Old English origin, meaning "elf friend", also the name of several towns in the United States.

always

adv

At all times; on every occasion, without exception.

Aly

name

A diminutive of the female given name Alison or Alyssa, or a variant of the male given name Ali.

Alyona

name

A female given name of Russian or Ukrainian origin.

Alyson

name

A female given name, a variant of Alison.

Alyssa

name

A female given name popular in the United States during the 1990s and 2000s.

Alzheimer

noun

Informal short form referring to someone diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Am

verb

The first-person singular present form of "to be," used with "I."

ama

noun

A traditional Japanese diver, typically a woman, who free-dives for pearls, shellfish, or seaweed.

Amadeus

name

A male given name of Latin origin, meaning "love of God", notably a middle name of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Amador

name

A surname of Spanish origin.

Amal

name

A male given name.

Amalfi

name

A coastal town in Campania, Italy, known for its scenic coastline.

Amalia

name

A female given name of Germanic origin, a less common variant of Amelia.

Amamiya

name

A Japanese surname.

Aman

name

A surname, also used as a given name in several cultures.

Amanda

name

A female given name of Latin origin, meaning "she who must be loved", also the name of several townships in Ohio.

Amano

name

A Japanese surname.

Amar

name

A male given name and surname of Sanskrit origin, meaning "undying, immortal".

Amara

name

A female given name of modern coinage popularised by fantasy fiction, often explained as meaning "eternal".

Amarillo

name

A city in the Texas panhandle, United States, the county seat of Potter County.

amaro

noun

A bittersweet Italian herbal liqueur, typically drunk after a meal to aid digestion.

amaru

noun

A mythical double-headed serpent from Inca and other Andean legends.

amass

verb

To gather a large amount of something over time, often wealth, possessions, or information.

amassed

adj

Gathered together in a large quantity or group.

amateur

noun

Someone who takes part in an activity, sport, or art for enjoyment rather than as a paid profession.

amateurish

adj

Lacking skill or polish; looking like the work of a beginner rather than a professional.

Amaya

name

A female given name of Spanish and Basque origin, popularised in the 1990s.