English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

courtship

noun

The period or process of romantically pursuing someone, usually before marriage.

courtside

adj

Located right next to a sports court, especially in basketball or tennis.

courtyard

noun

An open area, uncovered by a roof, that is surrounded by walls or buildings.

couscous

noun

A North African food made from tiny steamed granules of crushed semolina wheat, often served with stew or vegetables.

cousin

noun

The child of one's aunt or uncle.

cousins

noun

Plural of cousin: the children of one's aunts and uncles, or more broadly, extended family members.

couture

noun

The design and creation of high-end, custom-made fashion, or such clothing collectively.

cove

noun

A small, sheltered inlet along a coastline, often bordered by cliffs or rocks.

coven

noun

A group or gathering of witches.

covenant

noun

A formal, binding agreement between two or more parties, often with religious or legal weight.

covent

noun

An older form of the word "convent" — a religious community, especially of nuns.

Coventry

name

A city in the West Midlands of England, known for its medieval cathedral and the legend of Lady Godiva.

cover

verb

To place something over another thing to protect, conceal, or shield it.

coverage

noun

The amount and depth of attention a topic or event receives in the news or other media.

coveralls

noun

A one-piece protective garment covering the body and legs, worn over regular clothes for dirty or hazardous work.

covered

adj

Having something placed over it, or enclosed within a protective layer.

covering

noun

Something that is spread, laid, or wrapped over something else to protect or conceal it.

covers

noun

The sheets, blankets, and other bedding used on top of a bed.

covert

adjective

Secret or hidden; done in a concealed way.

covertly

adverb

In a secret or hidden manner.

covet

verb

To want something very badly, often something that belongs to someone else.

coveted

adjective

Wanted eagerly by many people; highly desired.

cow

noun

An adult female of domestic cattle, especially one that has given birth to a calf.

cowabunga

interjection

An exclamation of excitement, triumph, or enthusiasm.

cowan

noun

A stonemason who builds with unmortared, dry stone and never trained as a formal apprentice.

coward

noun

A person who lacks courage, especially someone who avoids danger or difficulty out of fear.

cowardice

noun

A lack of courage; the quality of being too afraid to do what is right or necessary.

cowardly

adjective

Lacking courage; showing fear when bravery is called for.

cowboy

noun

A person, especially in the American West, who herds and tends cattle, traditionally on horseback.

Cowboys

noun

Plural of cowboy; also used as the name of sports teams, most famously the Dallas Cowboys NFL team.

Cowell

name

An English surname, derived from a place name meaning "cold spring."

cower

verb

To crouch down or shrink back in fear.

cowgirl

noun

A woman who herds and tends cattle, especially in the American West.

cowl

noun

A hood, especially the large loose hood of a monk's robe.

Cowley

proper noun

A place name used for several towns and suburbs in England, Canada, the US, and Australia, and also a surname.

coworker

noun

A person one works with, especially in the same organization.

cox

noun

Short for coxswain: the person who steers a rowing boat and calls the stroke rate for the crew.

coy

adjective

Shy or modest, especially in a deliberately playful or teasing way.

Coyle

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "battle follower."

coyote

noun

A wild dog-like animal native to North America, smaller than a wolf.

coz

noun

An informal, affectionate short form of "cousin," often used to address someone.

CQ

noun

An abbreviation used by radio operators meaning "calling any station" — a general call inviting any listener to respond.

CR

noun

An abbreviation for "credit", used in accounting to mark an entry that increases income or reduces what is owed.

crab

noun

A sea creature with a hard shell, pincers, and a sideways walk.

Crabb

name

An English and Scottish surname, from the noun "crab."

crabby

adjective

Irritable, grumpy, or easily annoyed.

crabs

noun

Plural of crab: the sea creatures.

Crabtree

proper noun

A surname, and a place name used for several towns and villages in England, the US, Canada, and Australia.

crack

verb

To break, split, or form a line of damage without falling completely apart.

crackdown

noun

A sudden, strict effort to enforce rules or stop unwanted behavior.

cracked

adjective

Broken so that a line or split has formed, without falling completely apart.

cracker

noun

A thin, crisp, usually savory baked snack.

crackerjack

adjective

Exceptionally skilled or excellent.

crackers

adjective

British informal: crazy or insane.

crackhead

noun

A person addicted to crack cocaine.

cracking

noun

The industrial process of breaking down large molecules, such as crude oil, using heat, to produce fuels like gasoline.

crackle

noun

A series of small, sharp popping or snapping sounds.

crackling

noun

The crisp, crunchy rind left on roast pork after cooking.

crackpot

noun

Someone seen as eccentric or foolish, especially for holding strange or unfounded beliefs.

Craddock

name

A surname of Welsh origin.

cradle

noun

A small bed for a baby that rocks or swings gently.

craft

noun

Skill in making something by hand, especially using traditional or artistic techniques.

crafted

adjective

Made carefully and skillfully, often by hand.

crafting

noun

The activity of making things by hand, often as a hobby.

Crafts

name

An English surname.

craftsman

noun

A person highly skilled at a trade, especially one who makes things by hand.

craftsmanship

noun

The skill and care shown in making something, or the quality of a piece of skilled work.

crafty

adjective

Clever in a sly or deceptive way; skilled at tricking others.

Craig

noun

A steep rocky outcrop or crag, chiefly in Scottish and northern English usage.

craigslist

verb

To sell, buy, or advertise something through the Craigslist website.

Crain

name

An English surname.

cram

verb

To force or squeeze something into a tight space.

Cramer

name

A surname of German origin.

cramming

noun

The act of studying intensively over a short period, usually right before a test.

cramp

noun

A sudden, painful, involuntary tightening of a muscle.

cramped

adjective

Uncomfortably small or tight, lacking enough room.

cramping

noun

Painful muscle tightening, especially in the stomach or legs.

cramps

noun

Sudden, painful muscle spasms, especially in the abdomen or legs.

cranberry

noun

A small, tart red berry that grows on a low shrub, often eaten dried, juiced, or as a sauce.

crandall

noun

A hand tool with a bundle of pointed steel bars at the head, used for roughening the face of stone before it is set.

crane

noun

A large wading bird with long legs and a long neck.

Cranford

name

A surname, and the name of several towns and villages in England, Ireland, Canada, and the United States.

cranial

adjective

Relating to the skull or cranium.

cranium

noun

The bony part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain.

crank

noun

A handle or arm turned to operate a machine or mechanism.

cranked

adjective

Bent or shaped with an angle, like a crank.

cranking

noun

The action of turning a crank to operate or start something.

cranky

adjective

Easily irritated; grumpy and bad-tempered.

cranny

noun

A small, narrow gap or opening, such as a crack in a wall.

Cranston

name

A habitational surname from Old English, also the name of a city in Rhode Island and a parish in Scotland.

crap

noun

Something of poor quality; nonsense or worthless material.

crapper

noun

A toilet (slang).

crappy

adjective

Of very poor quality; unpleasant or disappointing.

craps

noun

A dice game, popular in casinos, where players bet on the outcome of the roll.

crash

noun

A violent collision, especially involving a vehicle.

crasher

noun

Someone who attends an event without being invited.

crashing

adjective

Extreme or overwhelming, often used to intensify a negative quality.

crass

adj

Coarse, crude, or insensitive, showing a lack of tact or refinement.

Crassus

name

The cognomen of Marcus Licinius Crassus, a wealthy Roman general and statesman.

crate

noun

A large, sturdy box or open frame used to pack and transport goods.

crater

noun

A bowl-shaped hollow in the ground, caused by an explosion, impact, or volcanic activity.

cravat

noun

A band of fabric worn around the neck, tied at the front, as an old-fashioned or formal alternative to a necktie.

crave

verb

To have an intense desire for something, especially food, comfort, or attention.

craven

adj

Completely lacking courage; cowardly, especially in a shameful way.

craving

noun

A strong, persistent desire for something.

craw

noun

The crop or stomach-like pouch of a bird or animal, used in the idiom "stick in one's craw" for something that causes lasting resentment.

crawfish

noun

A freshwater crustacean similar to a small lobster, also called a crayfish, often eaten as seafood.

crawl

verb

To move on hands and knees, or drag the body low along a surface.

crawler

noun

A baby or young child who can move on hands and knees but not yet walk.

Crawley

name

A surname, and the name of a large town in West Sussex, England, among other places.

crawling

noun

The action or motion of moving on hands and knees, or moving very slowly.

cray

noun

Informal short form of crayfish.

crayfish

noun

A small, freshwater crustacean resembling a miniature lobster, often eaten as food or kept in aquariums.

crayon

noun

A stick of colored wax or chalk used for drawing.

craze

noun

A brief but intense popular enthusiasm for something, a fad.

crazed

adj

Wild, frantic, or seemingly insane, often through fear, anger, or obsession.

Crazies

name

An informal name for the Crazy Mountains, a mountain range in Montana.

crazily

adv

In a wild, irrational, or reckless manner.

craziness

noun

The quality or state of being crazy; wild or irrational behavior.

crazy

adj

Mentally unstable or irrational; behaving in a wild or nonsensical way.

creak

verb

To make a harsh, grating, or squeaking sound, typically from friction between hard surfaces.

creaking

noun

A repeated grating or squeaking sound.

creaky

adj

Tending to creak, especially from age or wear.

cream

noun

The rich, fatty part of milk that rises to the top, or a dairy product made from it.

creamed

adj

Prepared or mixed with cream, or cooked in a creamy sauce.

creamer

noun

A small pitcher used for serving cream or milk.

creamy

adj

Having the smooth, rich texture or taste of cream.

crease

noun

A line or fold made by pressing, bending, or wrinkling fabric or paper.

creasy

adj

Full of creases or wrinkles.

create

verb

To bring something into existence; to make something new.

creating

noun

The ongoing act of making something new; creation.

creation

noun

Something that has been made, especially an original work of art, invention, or design.

creative

adj

Involving original ideas or imagination; inventive.

creatively

adv

In an imaginative or inventive way.

creativity

noun

The ability to produce original and imaginative ideas or work.

Creator

noun

A person who makes or invents something, especially an original work.

creature

noun

A living being, especially an animal.

cred

noun

Respect or status earned within a particular group, especially for being genuine or knowledgeable.

credence

noun

Acceptance of something as true or trustworthy, usually because there is evidence for it.

credentials

noun

Documents or qualifications that prove a person is who they claim to be or is qualified for a role.

credibility

noun

The quality of being believable or trustworthy.

credible

adj

Able to be believed; convincing.

credit

noun

Recognition or praise given for something a person has done.

credited

adj

Given recognition or acknowledgment for something.

creditor

noun

A person or organisation that is owed money.

credo

noun

A statement of core beliefs or guiding principles.

Cree

name

An Indigenous North American people, and the group of related languages they speak.

creed

noun

A formal statement of religious or personal belief.

Creegan

name

A surname of Irish origin.

creek

noun

A small stream, narrower than a river.