English dictionary — definitions & meanings

connivance

noun

The process of conniving or conspiring.

connive

verb

To secretly cooperate with other people in order to commit a crime or other wrongdoing; to collude, to conspire.

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."

connotation

noun

An idea, feeling or association that a word carries in addition to its plain dictionary meaning.

connotative

adj

that implies or suggests something else

connote

verb

To signify beyond its literal or principal meaning.

connubial

adj

Of or relating to the state of being married.

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.

conquerable

adj

Capable of being conquered or subdued.

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.

conscientiously

adv

In a conscientious manner; attentively.

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.

conscript

noun

One who is compulsorily enrolled, often into a military service; a draftee.

conscription

noun

Compulsory enrollment for state service, especially military duty.

consecrate

verb

To declare something sacred through a formal or religious ceremony.

consecrated

adjective

Formally declared sacred and set apart for religious use.

consecration

noun

The act or ceremony of consecrating; the state of being consecrated; dedication.

consecution

noun

A following, or sequel; actual or logical dependence.

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.

consequent

adj

Following as a result, inference, or natural effect.

consequential

adj

Following as a result.

consequently

adverb

As a result of what was just mentioned; therefore.

conservation

noun

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

conservationist

noun

A person who maintains natural areas or protects threatened species.

conservatism

noun

A political philosophy that advocates traditional values.

conservative

noun

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

conservatively

adv

In a conservative manner.

Conservatives

noun

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

conservator

noun

One who conserves, preserves or protects something.

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.

conserving

adj

Accompanied by conservation.

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.

considerateness

noun

The characteristic of being considerate.

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.

consign

verb

To transfer to the custody of, usually for sale, transport, or safekeeping.

consignee

noun

The person or company to whom goods are sent, and who is named on the shipping documents as the receiver.

consignment

noun

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

consignor

noun

The person or company that sends goods to someone else, either for delivery or for sale on their behalf; the sender named on a shipping document.

consist

verb

To be made up of particular parts or elements.

consistence

noun

Logical consistency; lack of self-contradiction.

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.

consociate

noun

An associate; an accomplice.

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.

consolidation

noun

The act or process of consolidating, making firm, or uniting; the state of being consolidated.

consolidator

noun

Anyone who or anything that consolidates.

consoling

adjective

Providing comfort during grief or disappointment.

consonance

noun

A form of rhyme having the same consonants but different vowels.

consonant

noun

A sound that results from the passage of air through restrictions of the oral cavity; any sound that is not the dominant sound of a syllable, the dominant sound generally being a vowel.

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.

conspicuously

adv

In a conspicuous manner; noticeably.

conspiracy

noun

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

conspiration

noun

Agreement or concurrence for some end or purpose.

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.

constance

name

A female given name from Latin.

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.

constellate

verb

To combine as a cluster.

constellation

noun

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

constellatory

adj

Having the nature of a constellation or grouping.

consternation

noun

Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.

constipate

verb

To cause constipation in, render costive.

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.

constitutive

adj

Having the power or authority to constitute, establish or enact something.

constrain

verb

To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.

constrained

adj

Limited, restricted, or kept within tight bounds.

constraining

noun

The act by which something is constrained.

constraint

noun

A limitation or restriction on what can be done.

constrict

verb

To narrow, especially by application of pressure.

constricted

adj

Narrowed, especially by application of pressure, drawn together by constriction.

constriction

noun

The act of constricting, the state of being constricted, or something that constricts.

constrictor

noun

That which constricts or tightens:

construal

noun

The act of construing: interpreting, portraying, or both.

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.

constructional

adj

Of, pertaining to, or obtained by construction.

constructive

adj

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

constructively

adv

In a constructive manner.

constructor

noun

A person who, or thing that, constructs.

construe

noun

A translation.

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.

consultative

adj

That gives advice or consultation; advisory.

consulting

noun

Ellipsis of consulting physician.

consumable

adj

That is consumed or depleted upon use.

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.

consumerist

adj

Of or pertaining to consumerism; consumeristic.

consumerization

noun

The process of consumerizing.

consumerize

verb

To turn into a consumer.

consuming

adj

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