English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

condition

noun

The particular state that something or someone is in, especially regarding quality or health.

conditional

adjective

Depending on something else being true or happening first.

conditioned

adjective

Trained through repetition to respond automatically in a certain way.

conditioner

noun

A hair-care product used after shampoo to soften and smooth the hair.

conditioning

noun

Training that shapes behaviour through repetition and reward or punishment.

Condo

name

An Italian surname, an occupational or descriptive name of uncertain origin.

condolence

noun

An expression of sympathy offered to someone who has experienced a loss, especially a death.

condolences

noun

Expressions of sympathy offered to someone who has suffered a loss, especially a death; used almost always in the plural.

condom

noun

A thin protective sheath, usually latex, worn during sex to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

condominium

noun

A privately owned unit within a larger building or complex, where common areas are jointly owned by all residents.

Condon

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "wolf" or "hound."

condone

verb

To accept or overlook behaviour that is generally considered wrong.

condor

noun

A very large vulture native to the Americas, known for its wide wingspan and soaring flight.

Condos

name

A Greek surname, derived from a word for "count" or a personal name.

conducive

adjective

Helping to bring about or encourage a particular outcome.

conduct

noun

The way a person behaves, especially in terms of morals or manners.

conducting

noun

The act of directing musicians as they perform a piece of music.

conductor

noun

A person who directs an orchestra, choir, or other group of musicians.

conduit

noun

A pipe, tube, or channel that carries water, cables, or other material from one place to another.

cone

noun

A solid shape with a circular base that narrows smoothly to a single point.

Cones

name

An English surname, a variant related to the given name Cone or a topographic name.

Coney

name

An English surname, also part of the place name Coney Island in New York.

confederacy

noun

An alliance or union of groups, states, or people joined for a common purpose.

confederate

adj

Joined together in an alliance; united for a common purpose.

confederation

noun

A union of states or organizations that keep their own independence while cooperating on shared matters.

confer

verb

To talk something over with others; to discuss and seek advice.

conference

noun

A formal meeting where people discuss ideas, present research, or negotiate on a particular topic.

conferring

noun

The act of discussing something with others, or of formally granting something.

confess

verb

To admit that you have done something wrong, or that something is true.

confessed

adj

Openly admitted to; acknowledged.

confessing

noun

The act of admitting something, especially a fault or wrongdoing.

confession

noun

A statement admitting that you did something wrong or that something is true.

confessional

noun

A small enclosed booth where a priest hears confession in private.

confessor

noun

A priest who hears people's confessions and grants absolution.

confetti

noun

Small pieces of colored paper thrown at celebrations such as weddings and parades.

confidant

noun

A close, trusted friend you can share your secrets with.

confide

verb

To tell someone a secret, trusting them to keep it private.

confidence

noun

A feeling of self-assurance and belief in your own abilities.

confident

adj

Feeling sure of yourself or your abilities.

confidential

adj

Meant to be kept secret and shared only with a limited group of people.

confidentiality

noun

The state of being kept private and secret.

confidently

adv

In a way that shows self-assurance or certainty.

confiding

adj

Showing trust in another person; willing to share secrets.

configuration

noun

The particular arrangement of the parts of something.

confine

verb

To keep someone or something within certain limits or a restricted space.

confined

adj

Kept within a small or restricted space; not free to move around.

confinement

noun

The state of being kept within a limited space, often against one's will.

confines

noun

The outer limits or boundaries of a place, subject, or situation.

confining

adj

Restricting movement or freedom; limiting.

confirm

verb

To state or show that something is definitely true or accurate.

confirmation

noun

Proof or a statement that something is true or has been agreed.

confirmed

adj

Verified as true or definite.

confirming

noun

The act of verifying or officially approving something.

confiscate

verb

To officially take away someone's property, often as a punishment or under legal authority.

conflict

noun

A serious disagreement or clash, especially a prolonged one.

conflicted

adj

Feeling torn between two opposing feelings or choices.

conflicting

adj

Incompatible or contradictory; not able to both be true at once.

conform

verb

To match your behaviour, appearance, or attitudes to what is expected or normal, especially to fit in with a group.

conformity

noun

Behaviour or thinking that matches an accepted standard or the norms of a group.

confound

verb

To completely puzzle or baffle someone.

confounded

adj

Completely puzzled or astonished.

confront

verb

To face someone directly, often to challenge or accuse them.

confrontation

noun

A tense, face-to-face clash or argument between people.

confrontational

adj

Prone to picking fights or provoking conflict; aggressively direct.

confronting

adj

Upsetting or hard to face because it forces you to deal with something uncomfortable.

Confucius

name

A Chinese philosopher (c. 551-479 BCE) whose teachings on ethics, family, and social order shaped Chinese thought for over two thousand years.

confuse

verb

To make someone unable to understand or think clearly.

confused

adj

Unable to think clearly or understand what is happening.

confusing

adj

Difficult to understand because it lacks clarity or order.

confusion

noun

A state of not understanding what is happening; a lack of clarity.

cong

noun

An ancient Chinese ritual object: a carved jade tube, round on the inside and square on the outside.

conga

noun

A tall, narrow hand drum of Cuban origin, played with the hands.

congee

noun

A savoury rice porridge, often simmered with vegetables, meat, or fish, popular across East and Southeast Asia.

congenial

adj

Pleasant and easy to get along with; friendly.

congeniality

noun

The quality of being pleasant, friendly, and easy to get along with.

congenital

adj

Present from birth, especially referring to a medical condition.

congested

adj

Overcrowded or blocked, especially with traffic, people, or fluid.

congestion

noun

A build-up of traffic, or the blockage this causes.

congestive

adj

Relating to or caused by congestion, especially fluid build-up in the body.

conglomerate

noun

A large company made up of several smaller, often unrelated businesses.

Congo

name

A region and major river system in Central Africa, and the name shared by two neighbouring countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.

congratulate

verb

To tell someone you are happy for them about something good that has happened.

congratulating

noun

The act of praising someone for a success or good news.

congratulation

noun

The act of expressing praise or pleasure at someone's good news or success.

congratulations

intj

Used to express praise and happiness for someone's achievement or good news.

congregate

verb

To gather together in a group.

congregation

noun

The group of people gathered for worship at a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship.

congress

noun

A formal meeting or conference to discuss or decide an issue.

congressional

adj

Relating to a congress, especially the United States Congress.

congressman

noun

A male member of the United States Congress, especially the House of Representatives.

congresswoman

noun

A female member of the United States Congress, especially the House of Representatives.

conjecture

noun

A guess or opinion formed without solid proof.

conjoined

adj

Joined or fused together physically, as with conjoined twins.

conjugal

adj

Relating to marriage or the relationship between spouses.

conjunction

noun

A word that connects other words, phrases, or clauses, such as "and", "but", or "because".

conjure

verb

To perform tricks that appear to be magic.

conjuring

noun

The performance of magic tricks or spells.

conk

verb

To hit someone, especially on the head.

Conklin

name

An English surname, derived from a diminutive of the name Conk or a place name.

Conley

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "chief" or "wise."

Conlon

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name related to "hero" or "chieftain."

conman

noun

A person who cheats or deceives others out of money or trust, typically through a confidence scheme.

conn

noun

The responsibility of directing and steering a ship, especially the phrase "to have the conn."

Connally

name

An Irish surname, a variant of Connolly, meaning "descendant of Conghalach."

connect

verb

To join one thing to another, physically or electronically.

connected

adj

Joined or linked, physically or electronically, to something else.

Connecticut

name

A state in the northeastern United States, named from an Algonquian word meaning "land on the long tidal river."

connections

noun

People or relationships that give someone useful access, influence, or opportunities.

connector

noun

A device, such as a plug or socket, used to join wires, cables, or hoses so they can be easily connected and disconnected.

Connell

name

An Irish surname and masculine given name, meaning "strong as a wolf."

Connelly

name

An Irish surname, a variant of Connolly.

conner

noun

A small, brightly coloured wrasse found in coastal European waters, also called the corkwing wrasse.

Connery

name

A Scottish and Irish surname, most famously associated with actor Sean Connery.

Connie

name

A short, familiar form of the given names Constance or Constantine.

conning

noun

An old-fashioned or dialect word for reckoning, counting, or careful calculation.

conniving

adj

Scheming or plotting deceitfully to get what one wants.

connoisseur

noun

Someone with expert knowledge and refined judgment in a particular field, especially art, food, or wine.

Connolly

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "descendant of the valorous one."

Connor

name

A masculine given name and surname of Irish origin, meaning "lover of hounds" or "wise chief."

Connors

name

An Irish surname, a variant of Connor meaning "descendant of Conchobhar."

conny

adj

An old or dialect word meaning brave, fine, or shrewdly clever.

Conor

name

A masculine given name of Irish origin, meaning "lover of hounds" or "wise chief," the traditional Irish spelling of Connor.

Conover

name

An English surname of Dutch origin, derived from a place name meaning "of the ridge."

conquer

verb

To defeat and take control of a place, people, or army by force.

conquering

noun

The act of defeating and taking control of something.

conqueror

noun

A person who defeats and takes control of a place, people, or opponent.

conquest

noun

The act of defeating an opponent and gaining control of their territory.

conquistador

noun

A Spanish soldier or explorer who took part in the conquest of the Americas in the 1500s.

Conrad

name

A masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "bold counsel."

Conroy

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "hound of vigor."

cons

noun

The negative points or disadvantages of something, typically used alongside "pros."

conscience

noun

An inner sense of right and wrong that shapes a person's behavior and feelings about their own actions.

conscientious

adj

Careful, thorough, and diligent in doing one's work or duties.

conscious

adj

Awake and mentally alert, as opposed to unconscious or asleep.

consciously

adv

In a way that is deliberate and done with full awareness.

consciousness

noun

The state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and thoughts.

conscription

noun

Compulsory enrollment for state service, especially military duty.

consecrate

verb

To declare something sacred through a formal or religious ceremony.

consecutive

adjective

Following one after another without a break.

consensual

adjective

Agreed to willingly by everyone involved, without pressure or force.

consensus

noun

General agreement reached among the members of a group, usually after discussion.

consent

verb

To agree to something or give permission for it.

consented

adjective

Having had agreement or permission granted for it.

consenting

adjective

Willingly agreeing to something, especially an activity involving more than one person.

consequence

noun

A result or effect that follows from an action or cause.

consequences

noun

A traditional pen-and-paper party game in which each player writes part of a story without seeing what others have written, revealed at the end for comic effect.

consequently

adverb

As a result of what was just mentioned; therefore.

conservation

noun

The protection and careful management of nature, wildlife, or natural resources.

conservative

noun

A person who favours keeping things as they traditionally are and resists rapid change.

Conservatives

noun

Members or supporters of a Conservative political party, or people who hold conservative views generally.