English dictionary — definitions & meanings

bagnio

noun

A building for bathing, sweating.

bagpipe

verb

To play the bagpipes.

bagpiper

noun

One who plays the bagpipes.

bagpipes

noun

A wind instrument with an inflatable bag, a melody pipe, and one or more drone pipes that sound continuously as the bag is squeezed.

bags

verb

To claim something for oneself before anyone else can.

baguette

noun

A long, narrow loaf of French bread with a crisp crust.

Bagwell

name

A surname, also used as a place name in Texas.

bah

intj

Used to express contempt, disgust, or irritation.

bahadur

noun

A brave warrior, historically used especially of Turko-Mongol fighters.

Bahamas

name

A chain of islands and independent country in the Caribbean, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

bahar

noun

A historical unit of weight once used across the Middle East and East Indies, whose exact size varied by region.

Bahia

name

A state in northeastern Brazil, with Salvador as its capital.

Bahrain

name

An island country in the Persian Gulf, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, with its capital at Manama.

baht

noun

The official currency of Thailand, divided into 100 satang.

bai

noun

A waterlogged, open meadow found in forested parts of sub-Saharan Africa, often visited by large wildlife.

bail

noun

A sum of money paid to secure someone's release from custody while they await trial.

bailer

noun

One who bails or lades.

bailes

name

A surname originating as an occupation.

bailey

noun

The outer wall of a castle, or the open courtyard enclosed within it.

bailiff

noun

A court officer responsible for keeping order in the courtroom and enforcing the judge's orders.

bailing

noun

The act of scooping water out of a boat, or more generally, removing something unwanted bit by bit.

bailiwick

noun

The district within which a bailie or bailiff has jurisdiction.

baillie

noun

The jurisdiction of a bailie or bailiff; a bailiwick.

bailout

noun

A rescue, especially money provided to save a struggling company, bank, or economy from collapse.

bain

adjective

Archaic: willing or ready to act; also, flexible or supple.

Bainbridge

name

An English surname, and a place name used for towns in England, the United States, and Canada.

Baines

name

An English surname.

Baird

name

A Scottish surname, also used as a place name in the United States.

bairn

noun

A child, especially in Scottish and northern English usage.

bairnish

adj

Having the manners of a child; childish; silly.

bait

noun

Food or a lure used to attract fish or other animals so they can be caught.

baiting

noun

A bloodsport in which a chained or confined animal is tormented by dogs.

baitly

adv

Blatantly; clearly; obviously.

baize

noun

A thick, soft, usually woolen cloth resembling felt; often colored green and used for coverings on card tables, billiard and snooker tables, etc.

Baja

name

A city in Bács-Kiskun County, Hungary; also informally used to refer to the Baja California peninsula in Mexico.

bak

noun

A wooden clapper instrument used in traditional Korean court music and ceremonies to mark the start and end of a piece.

baka

noun

A Japanese word for a fool or idiot, widely known to English speakers through anime, manga and games.

bake

verb

To cook food using dry heat in an oven.

baked

adj

Cooked in an oven.

baker

noun

A person whose job is to bake and sell bread, cakes, and similar goods.

Bakers

name

A neighbourhood of Nashville, Tennessee, named after the surname Baker.

Bakersfield

name

A major city in Kern County, California.

bakery

noun

A shop or business that bakes and sells bread, cakes, and similar goods.

Bakes

name

A nickname derived from the surname Baker.

bakeshop

noun

A shop where baked goods are made and sold.

baking

noun

The activity of cooking food, especially bread, cakes, or pastries, using dry heat in an oven.

baklava

noun

A rich, sweet pastry made of thin layers of dough filled with chopped nuts and soaked in syrup or honey, popular across the Middle East and the Balkans.

Bakshi

name

A surname of South Asian origin.

Baku

noun

In folklore, a supernatural creature said to eat bad dreams.

bal

noun

In mining, the exposed working surface of a mine or quarry face.

Bala

name

A town in Gwynedd, Wales, and several places named after it in Canada and the United States.

balaclava

noun

A close-fitting knitted covering for the head and neck, often with an opening for the face, worn for warmth or as a disguise.

Balaji

name

A surname of Tamil and Telugu origin, particularly common in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Balan

name

A surname.

balance

noun

A state in which opposing weights, forces, or elements are evenly matched; stability.

balanced

adj

Made up of parts that are properly proportioned or weighted, so nothing is excessive or lacking.

balancer

noun

One who, or that which, balances.

Balances

name

An alternative English name for the constellation and zodiac sign Libra.

balancing

noun

The act of keeping something steady or bringing opposing elements into equilibrium.

balboa

noun

Panama's official currency, split into 100 centésimos and pegged 1:1 with the US dollar.

balcony

noun

A platform enclosed by a rail or wall that projects from the outside wall of a building, usually accessible from an upper-floor room.

bald

adj

Having little or no hair on the head.

Balder

noun

In Norse mythology, the god of light and beauty, son of Odin and Frigg.

balderdash

noun

Nonsense; foolish or meaningless talk.

baldhead

noun

A person whose head is bald.

baldie

noun

Informal: someone who is bald.

balding

adj

Becoming bald; gradually losing hair, especially on the top of the head.

baldness

noun

The state of having little or no hair on the head.

baldpate

noun

A bald-headed person.

Baldur

name

In Norse mythology, the god of light and purity, son of Odin and Frigg.

Baldwin

noun

A variety of apple that is reddish and slightly tart, traditionally popular for winter storage.

baldy

noun

Informal: a bald person.

bale

noun

A large, tightly bound bundle of material such as hay, straw, cotton, or paper, prepared for storage or transport.

baleen

noun

keratinous material that makes up the plates in the mouth of the baleen whale (Mysticeti), which it uses to trap its food; formerly used in corsetry.

balefire

noun

A bonfire, any large outdoor fire (for example those used in a funeral pyre, or in witches' rituals).

baleful

adj

Portending evil; ominous.

Balenciaga

noun

A Spanish-founded luxury fashion house, now based in Paris and part of the Kering group, known for sculptural couture in its early decades and, more recently, for oversized streetwear, chunky trainers and heavily branded accessories.

Balfour

name

A Scottish surname, notably borne by British Prime Minister Arthur Balfour, and a place name in Scotland and elsewhere.

Bali

name

An island and province of Indonesia, known for its beaches and Hindu culture.

balk

noun

An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.

Balkan

adj

Relating to the Balkan Peninsula, its mountains, or the countries and people of that region of southeastern Europe.

balkanic

adj

Of or relating to the Balkan peninsula.

Balkans

noun

The peninsula and cultural region of southeastern Europe encompassing countries such as Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece.

ball

noun

A round or roughly spherical object, especially one used in sports and games.

ballad

noun

A simple narrative song or poem, often telling a romantic or dramatic story, typically slow and sentimental.

balladeer

noun

A singer, particularly a professional singer who performs ballads.

Ballantine

name

A Scottish surname, also used as a brand name and a place name in Montana.

ballast

noun

Heavy material carried in a ship, balloon, or vehicle to provide stability.

Balle

name

A surname of Dutch, Danish, or Catalan origin.

balled

adj

Formed into the shape of a ball, or having a specified number or type of balls.

baller

noun

Informal: someone who plays basketball, especially skilfully.

ballerina

noun

A ballet dancer (unisex term)

ballet

noun

A classical style of formal, expressive dance, or a theatrical performance of it, usually set to music.

Balli

name

A surname.

Ballin

name

A surname.

balling

noun

The act of forming something into a ball or clump.

Ballinger

name

A surname, and a place name for a city in Texas and a hamlet in England.

ballista

noun

An ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow, used for hurling large missiles.

ballistic

adj

Relating to projectiles that travel under their own momentum and gravity rather than powered flight.

ballistical

adj

Characteristic of ballistae; ballistic.

ballistics

noun

The scientific study of how projectiles like bullets or rockets move through the air.

balloon

noun

A flexible bag that inflates with air or gas, used as a toy, decoration, or for flight.

ballooning

adj

Growing rapidly as a balloon.

ballot

noun

A paper or card used to cast a vote, or the act of voting itself.

balloter

noun

Someone who votes by ballot.

balloting

noun

A vote or decision made by ballot.

ballpark

noun

A stadium where baseball is played.

ballpoint

noun

Ellipsis of ballpoint pen; the nib thereof, containing the ball.

ballroom

noun

A large room used for formal dances and receptions.

balls

noun

Courage and boldness; nerve.

ballsucker

noun

An objectionable person.

ballsy

adj

Bold and daring; showing a lot of nerve.

bally

adj

A dated, mild British slang intensifier meaning "bloody" — used to add emphasis without swearing outright.

ballyhoo

noun

Sensational or clamorous advertising or publicity.

balm

noun

A soothing ointment or lotion applied to the skin.

balminess

noun

The characteristic of being balmy.

balmy

adj

Of weather, pleasantly warm and mild.

baloney

noun

Nonsense; foolish or dishonest talk.

balsamic

adj

Having a soothing, fragrant quality like balsam.

balsamy

adj

Like balsam, as of balsam.

Balthazar

noun

An oversized wine bottle holding about 12 liters, equal to 16 standard bottles.

Baltic

adj

Relating to the Baltic Sea or the countries surrounding it.

Baltimore

name

An independent city in Maryland, the largest in the state.

balustrade

noun

A railing along the edge of a staircase, balcony, terrace or bridge, supported by a row of short posts and acting as both a barrier and a decorative feature.

Balzac

name

A surname, most famously belonging to the French novelist Honoré de Balzac.

bam

intj

Used to represent a sudden loud noise, impact, or abrupt event.

Bama

name

A Yao autonomous county in Guangxi, China; also an informal nickname for the U.S. state of Alabama.

Bamba

name

A surname found in several West African cultures.

Bambi

noun

A young deer, especially a fawn (from the famous cartoon character).

bambino

noun

A baby or young child, especially in art depicting the infant Christ.

bamboo

noun

A fast-growing woody grass with hollow, jointed stems, used for building and furniture.

bamboozle

verb

To con, defraud, trick, to make a fool of, to humbug or impose on someone.

bamboozler

noun

One who bamboozles; a trickster.

ban

verb

To officially forbid something.

Bana

noun

A member of a subgroup of the Fali people living in northern Nigeria.

banal

adj

So common and unoriginal that it is boring.

banality

noun

The quality of being dull, unoriginal, and overly familiar.

banana

noun

A long curved tropical fruit with soft flesh and a peelable yellow skin.

banana republic

noun

A small country that is politically unstable and badly governed, whose economy depends on a single export or industry and is often controlled by foreign business or a corrupt elite.

bananas

adj

Crazy, wild, or out of control (informal).

banausic

adj

Of or pertaining to technical matters; mechanical.

banc

noun

A bench; a high seat, or seat of distinction or judgment.

bancassurance

noun

A banking and insurance structure in which insurance is sold through the bank or the bank's distribution channels.

banco

noun

In card games like baccarat, a bet that matches the entire bank.

Bancroft

name

A surname of English origin, also used as a place name in several English-speaking countries.

band

noun

A group of musicians who perform together.

bandage

noun

A strip of material wrapped around a wound to protect or support it.

bandaged

adj

Covered or wrapped in a bandage.

bandana

noun

A large, often colorful square of cloth worn on the head or around the neck.

bandeau

noun

A band for the hair.