English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Caliente

name

A place name meaning "hot" in Spanish, borne by towns in California and Nevada.

California

name

The most populous U.S. state, on the Pacific coast, whose capital is Sacramento.

Californian

adj

Coming from, belonging to, or typical of the U.S. state of California.

californium

noun

A strongly radioactive transuranic chemical element with the symbol Cf and atomic number 98.

Caligula

name

The nickname of Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, the third Roman emperor, who reigned from 37 to 41 CE.

caliph

noun

A Muslim ruler regarded as a political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

caliphate

noun

A state or territory ruled by a caliph, or the system of government under a caliph.

Calista

name

A feminine given name derived from Latin, meaning "most beautiful."

calisthenics

noun

Exercises that use the body's own weight for resistance, such as push-ups, squats, and sit-ups.

call

verb

To contact someone by phone, or to cry out or shout to get attention.

call it off

verb

To cancel something that had been arranged or was already under way.

calla

noun

A plant with a distinctive trumpet-shaped white or colored bloom, commonly called a calla lily.

Callaghan

name

An Irish surname and male given name.

Callahan

name

An Irish surname and male given name.

Callaway

name

A surname, notably associated with the golf equipment brand.

callback

noun

A return phone call, especially one made to confirm or follow up.

called

adj

Named or referred to in a particular way.

Callen

name

An Irish surname and male given name, a variant of Callan.

caller

noun

A person who is making or has made a phone call.

callet

noun

(archaic) A woman regarded as immoral or promiscuous.

Callie

name

A feminine given name, a 19th-century diminutive of Caroline.

calligraphy

noun

The art of decorative, stylized handwriting; also, writing produced in this style.

calling

noun

A strong inner urge to pursue a particular career or way of life.

calliope

noun

A musical instrument made of steam whistles played from a keyboard, traditionally heard at fairgrounds and on riverboats.

callipygian

adj

Describes someone with a shapely, attractive bottom.

Callisto

name

A nymph of Artemis in Greek mythology, also the name of one of Jupiter's largest moons.

callosity

noun

A lack of sympathy or feeling for other people.

callous

adj

Showing no concern for the feelings or suffering of others.

callously

adv

In a way that shows no care for other people's feelings.

callousness

noun

A lack of concern or feeling for other people.

callow

adj

Young and lacking experience of life.

Calloway

name

A surname, a variant of Callaway, notably borne by musician Cab Calloway.

Callum

name

A male given name and surname of Scottish Gaelic origin.

callus

noun

A patch of thick, hard skin that forms where the skin is often rubbed, such as on the foot or hand.

Cally

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Callie.

calm

adj

Free from anxiety, agitation, or strong emotion; peaceful.

calmed

adj

Made peaceful or settled after being upset or agitated.

calmer

adj

More calm; comparative form of "calm."

calming

adjective

Having a soothing effect; reducing stress or agitation.

calmly

adverb

In a relaxed, controlled way, without panic or anger.

calmness

noun

The quality of being calm; a settled, untroubled state.

Calogero

name

An Italian surname.

caloric

adj

Connected with calories.

calorie

noun

A unit of food energy (technically a kilocalorie) used on nutrition labels to measure how much energy a food provides.

calorific

adj

Connected with calories.

calque

noun

A word or phrase formed in one language by translating the parts of a word or phrase in another language piece by piece.

caltrop

noun

A small spiked metal device thrown on the ground so a spike always points upward, used to injure feet, hooves or tyres (also used as a symbol in heraldry).

Calum

name

A male given name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning "dove."

calumniate

verb

To say false and damaging things about someone.

calumniation

noun

A false or spiteful claim made about a person.

calumny

noun

A false claim made to damage someone's good name.

Calvary

noun

The hill just outside Jerusalem where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified.

Calvert

name

An English surname, originally an occupational name for a calf-herder.

Calvin

name

A male given name, notably borne by the French Protestant reformer John Calvin.

calx

noun

The substance which remains after a metal or mineral has been thoroughly burnt, once seen as being the essential substance left after the expulsion of phlogiston, but now recognised as being the metallic oxide (or, in some cases, the metal in a state of sublimation).

calypso

noun

A style of upbeat, rhythmic music that originated in Trinidad and spread through the Caribbean.

calyx

noun

(botany) The ring of sepals that covers and protects a flower bud before it opens.

calzone

noun

A baked, folded-over pizza turnover filled with cheese, tomato sauce, and other toppings.

cam

noun

A rotating or sliding mechanical part shaped to convert its motion into movement of a connected rod or lever.

camaraderie

noun

A feeling of trust and friendship among people who share an experience, such as teammates or colleagues.

camarilla

noun

A small, secretive group of advisers who influence a leader behind the scenes.

camber

noun

A gentle curve across a surface, such as a road or roof, that lets water drain off.

Cambodia

name

A country in Southeast Asia whose capital is Phnom Penh.

Cambodian

adjective

Relating to Cambodia, its people, or the Khmer language.

camcorder

noun

A portable device that combines a video camera and a recorder to capture moving images and sound.

Camden

name

An English surname and place name, borne by Camden Town in London and several cities in the United States.

camdyn

name

A male first name that came from a family name.

came

verb

Past tense of "come" — used to describe something arriving or happening in the past.

camel

noun

A large, humped mammal adapted to desert life, used for transport and as a beast of burden.

camelback

noun

Camels' backs.

camellia

noun

A flowering shrub or small tree native to Asia, including the species that produces tea leaves.

Camelot

name

The legendary castle and court of King Arthur.

camembert

noun

A soft, creamy French cheese made from cow's milk, with a bloomy white rind.

cameo

noun

A brief appearance by a well-known performer in a film, show, or song, often playing a minor role or themselves.

camera

noun

A device used to take photographs or record video.

cameral

adj

Relating to a chamber, especially a law-making or judicial one.

cameraman

noun

A person who operates a film or television camera as their job.

camerate

verb

To construct something as a vault or arch.

Cameron

name

A Scottish surname, later used widely as a unisex given name.

Cameroon

name

A country in Central Africa whose capital is Yaoundé.

cami

noun

A short, informal word for a camisole — a sleeveless, lightweight top or undergarment.

camiknickers

noun

A woman's undergarment that covers the top of the body, worn under things like short dresses.

Camilla

name

A female given name of Latin origin.

Camille

name

A unisex given name of French origin.

camino

noun

A long-distance pilgrimage route across Spain, especially the route to Santiago de Compostela.

camion

noun

A large lorry or cart, often used to carry military supplies or weapons.

Cammie

name

A unisex given name, a diminutive of Camilla or Cameron.

cammy

name

A unisex first name.

camo

verb

To camouflage something, or to dress in camouflage clothing.

camomile

noun

A fragrant daisy-like plant whose flowers are used for herbal tea and remedies.

Camorra

name

A secretive organized-crime network based in Naples, Italy, comparable to the Sicilian Mafia.

camouflage

noun

A disguise or covering used to blend into surroundings and avoid being noticed.

camouflaged

adjective

Disguised or hidden by camouflage.

camoufleur

noun

A specialist in camouflage during the First World War or the Second World War.

camp

noun

A place with tents, cabins, or temporary shelters where people stay, especially outdoors.

campaign

noun

An organized series of actions carried out to achieve a particular goal, such as in politics, marketing, or the military.

campaigner

noun

Someone who has taken part in a military campaign.

campana

name

The name of a barangay in Uson, Masbate, Philippines.

campaned

adj

Fitted with small bells.

campanella

noun

A small hand bell or hanging bell, of the kind traditionally rung in a monastery or convent.

campanile

noun

A bell tower, especially a freestanding one, frequently linked to a church or other public structure, particularly in Italy.

Campari

noun

An Italian bitter-tasting red aperitif, often mixed with soda water or orange juice.

Campbell

noun

A breed of domestic duck bred for heavy egg-laying, developed in England around 1900.

camper

noun

Someone staying outdoors overnight, typically in a tent.

campfire

noun

An outdoor fire built at a campsite for cooking, warmth, light, and gathering around.

campground

noun

A designated outdoor area set up for pitching tents or parking camper vehicles.

camphire

noun

The sweet-smelling henna plant or its flower.

camphor

noun

A white, waxy, strong-smelling crystalline compound used in medicine, insect repellents, and traditional remedies.

camping

noun

The activity of sleeping outdoors, usually in a tent, for recreation.

campion

noun

A wildflower of the pink family, such as rose campion or bladder campion, with genera including Lychnis and Silene.

campish

adj

Slightly camp or over-the-top in style, in a fun or exaggerated way.

campo

noun

An open field or plain, especially in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking regions.

campsite

noun

A specific spot where a tent can be pitched for the night.

camptown

noun

A South Korean town whose economy depends heavily on a nearby US military base.

campus

noun

The grounds and buildings of a school, college, or university.

campy

adj

Deliberately exaggerated, theatrical or tasteless in a way that is amusing.

camron

name

A male given name taken from the surname, in modern use.

camulodunum

name

An ancient city in Roman Britannia, now Colchester.

Camus

noun

A surname, most famously that of the French novelist and philosopher Albert Camus.

camwheel

noun

A wheel with bumps or dents around its edge that turns a steady movement into an uneven, back-and-forth or stop-start one.

can

verb

To be able to do something, or to know how to do it.

Cana

noun

The biblical village where, according to the Gospel of John, Jesus turned water into wine.

Canaan

noun

An ancient region of the Middle East roughly covering modern Israel and Palestine, referred to often in the Bible.

Canada

noun

A country in North America, with Ottawa as its capital and Toronto as its largest city.

Canadian

adj

Relating to Canada, its people, or its culture.

canal

noun

A man-made waterway built for boats, irrigation, or drainage.

canard

noun

A story or rumour that is untrue, often spread on purpose to mislead people.

Canaries

noun

Plural of canary; also used as a short name for the Canary Islands.

canary

noun

A small yellow finch popular as a caged songbird.

canasta

noun

A card game related to rummy, played with two decks, where players form sets called melds.

Canberra

noun

The capital city of Australia, located in the Australian Capital Territory.

cancan

noun

A lively, high-kicking chorus-line dance that originated in 19th-century France.

cancel

verb

To call off or stop something planned from happening.

cancellation

noun

The act of calling something off or making it void.

cancelled

adj

No longer going ahead as planned.

cancer

noun

A disease in which abnormal cells grow and divide uncontrollably, often forming tumours.

cancerous

adj

Affected by or related to cancer.

Candace

noun

A female given name of Greek origin.

candahar

name

A dated spelling of Kandahar.

candela

noun

The standard unit for measuring how bright a light source is in a given direction. Symbol: cd.

candelabrum

noun

A stand for candles that has several branches, so it can hold more than one candle at a time.

Candi

noun

A shortened, informal form of the name Candace.

Candice

noun

A female given name, a variant of Candace.

candid

adj

Honest and direct, even when the truth might be uncomfortable.

candidacy

noun

The state or period of being a candidate for a position.

candidate

noun

A person seeking to be elected or appointed to a position.

candidature

noun

The state of standing as a candidate for a position or election.

candidiasis

noun

A fungal infection caused by yeasts of the genus Candida.

candidly

adv

In an honest, straightforward manner.

candidness

noun

The quality of being open and honest.