English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

antagonize

verb

To provoke hostility in someone, often deliberately.

Antarctic

adj

Relating to Antarctica or the region around the South Pole.

Antarctica

noun

The icy continent surrounding the South Pole, almost entirely covered by a vast ice sheet and home to no permanent human population.

Antares

noun

A huge, reddish star and one of the brightest in the night sky, marking the heart of the constellation Scorpius.

ante

noun

The amount a player must put into the pot before a hand of cards is dealt.

anteater

noun

A long-snouted mammal from Central and South America that uses its sticky tongue to slurp up ants and termites.

antelope

noun

A slender, fast-running, hoofed mammal found mostly in Africa, related to cattle and goats but with permanent, unshed horns.

antenna

noun

A metal rod, wire, or dish used to send or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals.

anterior

adj

Located toward the front, especially of the body — nearer the head end rather than the back.

Anthea

noun

A female given name of Greek origin, associated with blossoms and springtime.

anthem

noun

A formal, often patriotic or ceremonial song that represents a nation, group, or cause.

anthill

noun

A mound of soil, sand, or debris built up by ants (or termites) over the entrance to their underground colony.

Anthony

noun

A common male given name, in use since medieval times, and also found as a surname.

anthrax

noun

A serious infectious disease, caused by a bacterium, that mainly affects livestock like cattle and sheep but can also infect humans.

anthropological

adj

Relating to the study of human societies, cultures, and origins.

anthropologist

noun

A scholar who studies human societies, cultures, and their development, whether past or present.

anthropology

noun

The scientific and scholarly study of human beings, covering culture, language, biology, and history.

anti

adj

Opposed to a particular idea, policy, or plan.

antibiotic

noun

A medicine that kills bacteria or stops them from growing, used to treat bacterial infections.

antibody

noun

A protein made by the immune system that recognizes and attaches to a specific germ or foreign substance to help destroy it.

antichrist

noun

In Christian belief, a figure prophesied to oppose Christ and deceive people before the end times.

anticipate

verb

To expect something and prepare for it in advance.

anticipated

adj

Expected to happen or arrive, often with excitement.

anticipation

noun

The feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen.

antidepressant

noun

A medication prescribed to relieve or prevent the symptoms of depression.

antidote

noun

A substance that counteracts the effects of a poison.

antifreeze

noun

A liquid, usually containing glycol, added to a vehicle's radiator or an aircraft's surfaces to stop water from freezing.

Antigone

noun

In Greek mythology and tragedy, the daughter of Oedipus who defies a royal decree to bury her brother.

Antigua

noun

A Caribbean island, the larger part of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

antihistamine

noun

A drug that blocks the effects of histamine, commonly used to relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing or itching.

antimatter

noun

Matter made up of antiparticles, which have the same mass as ordinary particles but opposite charge, and which annihilate on contact with ordinary matter.

Antioch

noun

An ancient city in what is now southeastern Turkey, once a major capital of the Seleucid and later Roman and Byzantine empires, and an important early center of Christianity.

antiquated

adj

Old-fashioned or outdated, no longer suited to modern needs.

antique

noun

An object, usually furniture or decorative item, valued for being old and often collectible.

antiquity

noun

Ancient times, especially the era of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

antiseptic

noun

A substance applied to skin or wounds to stop the growth of germs and prevent infection.

antisocial

adj

Unwilling or unable to interact comfortably with other people.

antler

noun

A bony, branching growth on the head of a deer, moose, or similar animal, shed and regrown each year.

Antlers

noun

The branching, bony growths on the head of a deer, moose, or similar animal, usually shed and regrown each year.

Antoine

noun

A male given name of French origin, equivalent to Anthony.

Antoinette

noun

A female given name of French origin, a feminine form of Antoine, best known from Queen Marie Antoinette.

Anton

noun

A male given name of Latin origin, common across several European languages, and also used as a surname.

Antonia

name

A feminine given name, the female form of Antonius, a Roman family name.

Antonio

name

A masculine given name of Latin origin, the Italian and Spanish form of Anthony.

Antonov

name

A Russian surname, also the name of a Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer founded by Oleg Antonov.

Antony

name

A masculine given name, a variant spelling of Anthony, of Roman origin.

antsy

adj

Restless, fidgety, and unable to sit still, often from impatience or nerves.

Antwerp

name

A city and port in Belgium, historically famous for its diamond trade.

Antwon

name

A masculine given name, an American variant of Anthony or Antoine.

Anu

name

A feminine given name common in Finland and India, and the name of a Mesopotamian sky god.

Anubis

name

The ancient Egyptian god of the dead and embalming, usually depicted with a jackal's head.

Anuj

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "younger brother".

anus

noun

The opening at the end of the digestive tract through which solid waste leaves the body.

anvil

noun

A heavy block of iron with a flat top, used by blacksmiths as a surface for hammering and shaping hot metal.

Anwar

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "brighter" or "more luminous".

anxiety

noun

A persistent feeling of unease, nervousness, or worry, often about something uncertain that hasn't happened yet.

anxious

adj

Feeling nervous or worried, especially about something uncertain or upcoming.

anxiously

adv

In a nervous or worried way.

any

det

Used to refer to one or some of a thing, without specifying which, especially in questions and negatives.

anybody

pron

Any person at all; anyone.

anyhoo

adverb

A casual, jokey way of saying "anyhow" — used to change the subject or get back on track after a tangent.

anyhow

adv

Used to return to an earlier point or wrap up a digression; anyway.

anyone

pron

Any person at all; anybody.

anyplace

adv

(informal, chiefly American) In or to any location; anywhere.

anything

pron

Any thing, event, or fact at all, of whatever kind.

anytime

adv

At any time; whenever.

anyway

adv

Regardless of what has just been said or what happens; in any case.

anyways

adv

(informal) Anyway; in any case.

anywhere

adv

In, at, or to any place.

ao

noun

grue ("blue or green", considered as one color)

Aoi

name

A Japanese given name, often meaning "blue" or "hollyhock" depending on the characters used.

Aoki

name

A Japanese surname meaning "blue tree" or "green tree".

AOL

interjection

Internet slang for "I agree" or "me too," used to pile on to someone else's comment without adding anything new.

Aomori

name

A city and prefecture in northern Japan, known for its apple orchards.

aorta

noun

The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart out to the rest of the body.

aortic

adj

Relating to the aorta.

Aoyama

name

A Japanese surname and also an upscale district in Tokyo.

Apache

noun

A member of any of several related Native American peoples of the southwestern United States.

apart

adv

Separated by distance or time.

apartheid

noun

The system of racial segregation enforced by law in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s.

apartment

noun

A self-contained set of rooms for living in, forming part of a larger building; a flat.

apathetic

adj

Showing little or no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

apathy

noun

A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotion about something.

ape

noun

A large tailless primate such as a gorilla, chimpanzee, or orangutan.

aperture

noun

A small opening, gap, or hole, especially one that lets light or something else pass through.

apex

noun

The highest point of something, especially where it comes to a point; the peak or pinnacle.

aphasia

noun

A loss of the ability to understand or produce language, usually caused by brain damage such as a stroke.

aphrodisiac

noun

A food, drink, or substance believed to increase sexual desire.

Aphrodite

name

In Greek mythology, the goddess of love and beauty.

apiece

adv

For or to each one; individually.

aplenty

adv

In large or generous quantity; in abundance.

apnea

noun

A temporary pause or stopping of breathing, especially during sleep.

apo

adjective

Describing a protein or molecule that is not currently bound to the partner (like a metal ion or another molecule) it normally works with — its inactive, "empty" form.

apocalypse

noun

A massive, catastrophic event causing widespread destruction; the end of the world.

apocalyptic

adj

Describing or resembling total, world-ending disaster.

Apollo

name

In Greek and Roman mythology, the god of the sun, music, prophecy, and healing.

apologetic

adj

Expressing regret or sorry for a mistake or fault.

apologies

noun

Expressions of regret for a fault or mistake (plural of apology).

apologize

verb

To say sorry; to express regret for a mistake or wrongdoing.

apologizing

noun

The act of saying sorry for a mistake or wrongdoing.

apology

noun

A statement expressing regret for a mistake or offense.

Apophis

name

In Egyptian mythology, a giant serpent god of chaos who tries to destroy the sun each night.

apostle

noun

One of the twelve original followers of Jesus chosen to spread his teachings.

apostolic

adj

Relating to the apostles or their teachings.

apostrophe

noun

The punctuation mark ( ' ) used to show possession or mark missing letters in a contraction.

apothecary

noun

Historically, a person who prepared and sold medicines; an old-fashioned term for a pharmacist.

App

noun

A software application, especially one designed for a phone or tablet.

Appalachian

adj

Relating to the Appalachian Mountains or the region and culture of Appalachia in the eastern United States.

appalled

adj

Shocked and horrified, usually by something offensive or upsetting.

appalling

adj

Shockingly bad or unpleasant; horrifying.

apparatus

noun

A set of equipment or machinery used for a particular purpose.

apparel

noun

Clothing, especially as a category of goods.

apparent

adj

Clearly visible or understood; obvious.

apparently

adv

According to what one has heard or read, though not necessarily confirmed.

apparition

noun

A ghost or ghostlike figure; a sudden, strange appearance.

appeal

noun

A formal request to a higher court to review and change a lower court's decision.

appealing

adj

Attractive or interesting; likely to draw someone's interest.

appear

verb

To come into view; to become visible.

appearance

noun

The way someone or something looks.

appearing

noun

The act of becoming visible or showing up.

appease

verb

To calm someone down or make them less angry, especially by giving them what they want.

appeasement

noun

The act of calming someone, especially by giving in to their demands to avoid conflict.

appellate

adjective

Relating to appeals, or to a court that has the power to review and overturn decisions made by a lower court.

appendage

noun

A part, especially a limb or similar structure, that sticks out from the main body of an animal or plant.

appendectomy

noun

A surgical operation to remove the appendix.

appendicitis

noun

Painful swelling and inflammation of the appendix.

appendix

noun

Extra material added at the end of a book or document, giving background or supporting details.

appetite

noun

A desire to eat.

appetizer

noun

A small dish served before the main course of a meal.

appetizing

adjective

Looking or smelling good enough to make you want to eat.

applaud

verb

To clap your hands to show approval or enjoyment.

applauding

verb

Clapping the hands to show approval or praising something openly; the present participle of applaud.

applause

noun

Clapping and cheering used to show approval, usually after a performance or speech.

apple

noun

A round, firm fruit with red, green, or yellow skin and crisp white flesh, grown on trees.

Applebee

name

An English surname, also known from the Applebee's restaurant chain in the United States.

Appleby

name

An English surname and place name, from a market town in Cumbria.

Applegate

name

An English surname, originally denoting someone who lived near an orchard gate.

applejack

noun

A strong alcoholic drink made from apple cider, traditionally concentrated by partly freezing it.

apples

adjective

Fine or good; used informally, mainly in Australian English.

applesauce

noun

A soft, smooth food made from cooked, mashed apples.

Appleton

name

An English surname and place name meaning "apple orchard town".

appliance

noun

A device, usually electrical, designed to perform a specific household or office task.

applicable

adjective

Relevant or suitable to a particular situation.

applicant

noun

Someone who formally requests something, such as a job, loan, or place at a school.

application

noun

A formal request for something, such as a job, place at university, or a document.

applied

adjective

Put into practical, real-world use, rather than purely theoretical.

apply

verb

To formally request something, such as a job or place at a school.

applying

verb

Making a formal request, putting something to use, or being relevant; the present participle of apply.

appoint

verb

To choose someone officially for a job or role.

appointed

adjective

Chosen officially for a role, rather than elected.