English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

conservatory

noun

A glass-walled room attached to a house, used for growing plants or as a sitting room.

conserve

verb

To use something carefully so it lasts, or to prevent it from being wasted or damaged.

consider

verb

To think carefully about something before making a decision.

considerable

adjective

Large enough in size, amount, or degree to be important.

considerably

adverb

By a large amount; significantly.

considerate

adjective

Thoughtful about the feelings and needs of other people.

consideration

noun

Careful thought given to something before deciding or acting.

considered

adjective

Carefully thought through rather than said or decided on impulse.

considering

preposition

Taking a particular fact into account.

consignment

noun

A batch of goods sent or delivered together, especially for sale.

consist

verb

To be made up of particular parts or elements.

consistency

noun

The quality of always behaving or performing in the same reliable way.

consistent

adjective

Acting or performing in the same reliable way over time.

consistently

adverb

In a way that stays the same each time; reliably.

consolation

noun

Comfort given to someone after a loss, disappointment, or sadness.

console

verb

To comfort someone who is upset, grieving, or disappointed.

consolidate

verb

To combine several things into one, stronger whole.

consolidated

adjective

Combined into a single, stronger unit.

consoling

adjective

Providing comfort during grief or disappointment.

consort

noun

The husband or wife of a reigning monarch.

consortium

noun

A group of businesses, organisations, or investors working together on a shared venture.

conspicuous

adjective

Easy to notice; standing out clearly.

conspiracy

noun

A secret plan made by two or more people to do something harmful or illegal.

conspirator

noun

A person who takes part in a secret plot with others.

conspire

verb

To plan something harmful or illegal secretly with others.

conspiring

noun

The act of secretly plotting with others.

constable

noun

A police officer, especially one of the lowest rank in many Commonwealth police forces.

constabulary

noun

A police force, especially one organized on a regional or national basis.

constancy

noun

Steadiness and reliability, especially in loyalty, feelings, or purpose over time.

constant

adj

Not changing; staying the same over time.

Constantin

name

A masculine given name of Latin origin, a variant of Constantine meaning "constant" or "steadfast."

Constantine

name

A masculine given name of Latin origin meaning "constant" or "steadfast," borne by several Roman emperors.

Constantinople

name

The historic name of the city now known as Istanbul, capital of the Byzantine and later Ottoman Empire.

constantly

adv

Happening all the time or very often; without stopping.

constellation

noun

A recognized pattern or group of stars in the sky, often named after a mythological figure or shape.

constipated

adj

Unable to have regular bowel movements.

constipation

noun

A condition where bowel movements are infrequent or difficult.

constituency

noun

A geographic district whose voters elect a representative.

constituent

adj

Being one of the parts that make up a whole.

constitute

verb

To make up or form something when combined with other parts.

constitution

noun

A document setting out the fundamental laws and principles that govern a country or organization.

constitutional

adj

Relating to, or permitted by, a country's or organization's constitution.

constrained

adj

Limited, restricted, or kept within tight bounds.

constraint

noun

A limitation or restriction on what can be done.

construct

verb

To build something by putting parts together.

constructed

adj

Built or created, especially in an artificial or deliberate way.

constructing

noun

The ongoing act of building or putting something together.

construction

noun

The process or business of building something, especially buildings and infrastructure.

constructive

adj

Helpful and useful, especially in offering solutions or improvements rather than just criticism.

Consuela

name

A feminine given name of Spanish origin, a variant of Consuelo meaning "consolation."

Consuelo

name

A feminine given name of Spanish origin, meaning "consolation," often referencing the Virgin Mary as "Our Lady of Consolation."

consul

noun

An official appointed by a government to live in a foreign city and protect the interests of its citizens and businesses there.

consulate

noun

The office or building where a consul works, representing their country abroad.

consult

verb

To seek advice or information from someone or something.

consultant

noun

A person hired for their specialist expertise or advice, usually on a temporary or independent basis.

consultation

noun

A meeting to discuss something or get advice, especially with a professional.

consume

verb

To eat or drink something.

consumed

adj

Completely filled with or overwhelmed by a feeling.

consumer

noun

A person who buys goods or services for personal use.

consumerism

noun

A strong cultural focus on buying and owning goods, often seen as excessive.

consuming

adj

Taking up all of someone's attention, energy, or time.

consummate

adj

Extremely skilled or accomplished; perfect of its kind.

consummation

noun

The completion or fulfillment of something, bringing it to its final, perfect state.

consumption

noun

The act of eating, drinking, or using something up.

contact

noun

Physical touching, or close communication between people.

contagion

noun

A disease that spreads by contact, or the process of it spreading.

contagious

adj

Capable of being passed from one person to another through contact.

contain

verb

To hold something inside, or to have something as one of its parts.

contained

adj

Kept within set limits; not spreading beyond a defined space.

container

noun

An object, such as a box, jar, or bottle, used for holding or storing something.

containing

noun

The contents or ingredients held within something (used mainly as a describing form of "contain").

containment

noun

The act or state of keeping something within limits, or the thing that has been kept in check.

contaminate

verb

To make something impure, dirty, or unsafe by introducing a harmful substance.

contaminated

adj

Made impure or unsafe by the presence of a harmful or unwanted substance.

contamination

noun

The act of making something impure or unsafe, or the harmful substance responsible for it.

conte

noun

An Italian nobleman holding the title of count.

contemplate

verb

To think about something carefully and at length; to consider deeply.

contemplation

noun

The act of thinking deeply and quietly about something.

contemporary

adj

Belonging to or happening in the present time; modern.

contemptible

adj

Deserving scorn or disrespect; despicable.

contemptuous

adj

Showing or feeling contempt; scornful and disrespectful.

contend

verb

To compete or struggle against someone or something.

contender

noun

A person who competes against others, especially one with a real chance of winning.

content

adj

Satisfied and at ease; not wanting more than what one has.

contented

adj

Happy and satisfied with one's situation.

contention

noun

A claim or position put forward and argued for, especially in a debate.

contentious

adj

Likely to cause disagreement or heated argument.

contentment

noun

A feeling of calm satisfaction and ease with one's life or situation.

contents

noun

The things held or contained within something.

contessa

noun

An Italian countess.

contest

noun

A competition in which people try to win or achieve the best result.

contestant

noun

A person who takes part in a competition.

contested

adj

Disputed or challenged; not settled or agreed upon.

contesting

noun

The act of formally challenging or disputing something.

context

noun

The circumstances or background information that helps explain or clarify something.

continent

noun

One of the large landmasses of the Earth, such as Africa, Asia, or Europe.

continental

adj

Relating to a continent, especially mainland Europe as distinct from Britain.

contingency

noun

An event or circumstance that might happen but is not certain; a possible future situation planned for in advance.

contingent

adj

Dependent on something else that is uncertain; conditional.

continual

adj

Happening again and again over time, often with brief pauses in between.

continually

adv

Happening frequently or repeatedly over a period of time.

continuance

noun

The act of continuing, or the length of time something lasts.

continuation

noun

The act of carrying something on, or a part that extends or follows something already begun.

continue

verb

To keep doing something without stopping, or to start again after a pause.

continued

adj

Ongoing or extended without stopping; carried on further.

continuing

adj

Ongoing; still in progress or effect.

continuity

noun

An unbroken, consistent flow or connection over time, without gaps or interruption.

continuous

adjective

Going on without any break or interruption.

continuously

adverb

Without any pause or break.

continuum

noun

A continuous range or scale in which nearby points are barely different, but the far ends are very different from each other.

contortionist

noun

A performer who can bend and twist their body into extreme positions.

contour

noun

The outline or shape of something, especially a curved edge.

contra

preposition

Against or in opposition to.

contraband

noun

Goods that are illegal to own, trade, or smuggle.

contraception

noun

The deliberate use of a method or device to prevent pregnancy.

contraceptive

noun

A device, drug, or method used to prevent pregnancy.

contract

noun

A written or spoken agreement, especially one intended to be enforceable by law.

contracted

adjective

Set up through a formal agreement.

contracting

adjective

Becoming smaller; drawing inward.

contraction

noun

A shortened form of a word or words, often marked with an apostrophe.

contractor

noun

A person or company hired to carry out building or construction work.

contractual

adjective

Relating to, required by, or set out in a contract.

contradict

verb

To say something that is the opposite of, or inconsistent with, another statement.

contradicted

adjective

Shown to be inconsistent or disputed.

contradicting

noun

The act of saying something that opposes or conflicts with another statement.

contradiction

noun

A statement or idea that is inconsistent with another, or that clashes with itself.

contradictory

adjective

Saying or implying the opposite of something else, so both can't be true.

contraption

noun

A machine or device that looks complicated, unusual, or unreliable.

contrary

adjective

Completely opposite in nature or direction.

contrast

noun

A clear difference between two things when they are compared.

contribute

verb

To give something, such as money, effort, or ideas, that becomes part of a larger effort or whole.

contribution

noun

Something given, such as money, time, or effort, that adds to a bigger effort.

contributor

noun

A person who gives money, time, or support to a cause.

contrite

adjective

Genuinely sorry and remorseful about something one has done wrong.

contrition

noun

Deep and sincere regret for having done something wrong.

contrived

adjective

Planned or created in an artificial, forced way rather than arising naturally.

control

verb

To direct or influence the behavior of someone or something.

controlled

adjective

Kept in check; restrained rather than let loose.

controller

noun

A handheld device used to operate a video game or machine.

controlling

adjective

Trying to dominate or dictate other people's behavior.

controversial

adjective

Causing or likely to cause strong disagreement or public debate.

controversy

noun

Public disagreement or debate, often heated, about a particular issue.

contusion

noun

A bruise; an injury that discolors the skin without breaking it.

conundrum

noun

A confusing or difficult problem, often one without a clear solution.

convalescent

adjective

Recovering gradually from an illness.

convene

verb

To come together, or to call people together, for a meeting.

convenience

noun

The quality of being easy, useful, or suitable for one's needs.

convenient

adj

Easy to use or reach; not causing extra trouble or effort.

conveniently

adv

In a way that is easy or handy, without extra effort.

convening

noun

The act of gathering people together for a meeting or assembly.