English dictionary — definitions & meanings

digs

noun

(informal, plural) A place someone lives; lodgings.

Dijon

noun

A smooth, tangy mustard made with white wine instead of vinegar, named after the French city.

dike

noun

A long wall or embankment built to hold back water and prevent flooding.

diktat

noun

A dogmatic decree or command, especially issued by one who rules without popular consent.

dilapidate

verb

To cause to become ruined or put into disrepair.

dilapidated

adjective

In poor condition due to age or neglect; falling apart.

dilatation

noun

Prolixity; diffuse discourse.

dilate

verb

To become or make wider, larger, or more open.

dilated

adjective

Made wider or larger than normal.

dilation

noun

The act or process of becoming wider or larger.

dilatoriness

noun

The state or quality of being dilatory.

dilatory

adj

Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or adjourn decision.

dildo

noun

A sex toy shaped like a penis, used for sexual penetration.

dilemma

noun

A situation requiring a choice between two or more options, all of which are difficult or unwelcome.

dilettante

noun

Someone who dabbles in a subject or art out of casual interest rather than serious commitment.

DILF

noun

A father who is considered sexually attractive, especially an older man whose appeal is tied to looking like a dad.

diligence

noun

Careful, steady, and hard-working effort applied to a task.

diligent

adjective

Working with steady, careful effort; hard-working and thorough.

diligently

adverb

In a careful, hard-working way, with steady effort and attention.

dilithium

noun

A molecule made of two lithium atoms bonded together, mostly seen in lithium vapor.

dill

noun

A feathery herb with a mild, aniseed-like flavor, used fresh or dried in cooking.

Dillard

name

An English surname, notably associated with the American department store chain Dillard's.

diller

noun

Used only in the fixed phrase "killer diller," meaning something outstandingly good or impressive.

Dillinger

name

A German surname, notably borne by the American bank robber John Dillinger.

Dillon

name

A masculine given name and surname of Irish origin, derived from Dyllan or Ó Duilleáin.

dillweed

noun

Dill, an aromatic herb used in cooking and medicine; Anethum graveolens.

dilly

noun

Someone or something remarkably good, bad, or unusual — often used a little sarcastically.

dilly dally

verb

To waste time by moving too slowly or by being unable to make up your mind.

diluent

noun

That which dilutes.

dilutable

adj

Capable of or, more strongly, suitable for being diluted.

dilutant

noun

A diluting agent; a diluent, or thinner.

dilute

verb

To make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent.

diluted

adjective

Weakened or thinned out by having something added to it.

dilution

noun

The process of making something dilute.

dilutory

adj

Having the effect of diluting.

diluvium

noun

An inundation or flood; a deluge.

dim

adjective

Giving off or showing very little light; not bright.

Dima

name

A masculine given name, a common Russian diminutive of Dmitry.

Dimaggio

name

An Italian surname, notably borne by the baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.

Dimas

name

A masculine given name of Greek origin, a variant of Demas.

dimbus

noun

A foolish or stupid person.

dime

noun

A US or Canadian coin worth ten cents.

dimenhydrinate

noun

A crystalline antihistamine over-the-counter drug used to prevent nausea and motion sickness.

dimension

noun

A measurable extent of something, such as its length, width, height, or depth.

dimensional

adjective

Relating to dimensions, or having a specified number of dimensions.

dimensioned

adj

Possessing dimension, non-dimensionless, dimensionful.

diminish

verb

To make something smaller, weaker, or less important.

diminished

adjective

Made smaller, weaker, or less important than before.

diminishing

adjective

Becoming gradually smaller, weaker, or less.

diminishment

noun

The act of diminishing; reducing in size, quantity, or quality.

diminuendo

noun

A dynamic mark directing that a passage is to be played gradually more softly

diminution

noun

A lessening, decrease or reduction.

diminutive

adjective

Very small in size.

diminutization

noun

The act or process of diminutizing.

diminutize

verb

To put (a word, name) in a diminutive form.

Dimitri

name

A male given name, a variant of Demetrius, popular in Slavic and Mediterranean cultures.

Dimitris

name

A Greek masculine given name, a form of Demetrios, meaning "follower of Demeter."

dimly

adv

In a dim manner; not clearly.

dimmer

noun

A switch or dial that adjusts the brightness of an electric light.

dimmet

noun

Twilight; dusk; crepusculum.

dimming

noun

The process of a light, or something figurative, gradually becoming less bright or intense.

dimness

noun

The state of being dim.

dimple

noun

A small natural indentation in the skin, especially near the corners of the mouth or on the cheek.

dimwit

noun

An informal, mildly insulting term for a stupid or slow-witted person.

dimwittedness

noun

The state or condition of being dimwitted.

DIN

noun

A loud, confused mixture of noise.

Dina

name

A feminine given name, a short form of Dinah or a variant of Dena.

Dinah

name

A feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "judged" or "vindicated," a figure in the Book of Genesis.

dinar

noun

The official currency unit used in several countries, including Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Serbia.

dine

verb

To eat, especially a main meal such as dinner, often somewhat formally.

diner

noun

A small, casual restaurant, often open long hours and serving simple, affordable food, historically styled like a railroad dining car.

dinero

noun

Informal term for money, borrowed from Spanish.

dinette

noun

A small space within a dwelling, usually alongside a kitchen, used for informal dining; a dining alcove or nook.

ding

noun

A small dent, chip, or bit of minor damage.

dingbat

noun

A silly, crazy or stupid person.

dinger

noun

A bell or chime.

dinghy

noun

A small open boat, often carried aboard a larger ship as a lifeboat or tender, or sailed for sport.

dingle

noun

A small, narrow, often wooded valley or hollow.

dingleberry

noun

Vaccinium erythrocarpum, the southern mountain cranberry.

dinglehopper

noun

Something that one does not readily recall the name of.

dingo

noun

A wild dog native to Australia.

dingus

noun

A gadget or object whose real name you can't remember or don't bother to use.

dingy

adjective

Dark, dull, and lacking in cleanliness or brightness.

dining

noun

The act of eating a meal, especially as a social occasion.

dink

noun

A softly hit shot in tennis, padel, or pickleball that just clears the net.

dinky

adj

Small in a charming or appealing way.

dinner

noun

The main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening.

dinnertime

noun

The time of day when dinner is usually eaten.

dinning

verb

Common misspelling of dining.

dino

noun

(informal) A dinosaur.

dinosaur

noun

One of the large reptiles that dominated the land during the Mesozoic Era, long before humans existed.

dint

noun

Force or effort, especially in the phrase "by dint of."

diocesan

noun

The bishop of a diocese.

diocese

noun

A district under the authority of a bishop.

Dion

name

A male given name of Ancient Greek origin.

dione

name

Mother of Aphrodite, and possibly the same as the goddess Rhea.

Dionne

name

A French-Canadian surname.

dionysia

noun

The orgiastic Ancient Greek festivals seasonally held in honor of Dionysus, which evolved into Greek comedy and tragedy.

dionysiac

adj

Of, or relating to Dionysus or to the Dionysia.

dionysian

adj

Of or pertaining to Dionysus.

dionysius

name

A transliteration of the Ancient Greek male given name Διονύσιος (Dionúsios).

Dionysus

name

The Greek god of wine, festivity, and theatre.

Dior

noun

A French luxury fashion house, formally Christian Dior, known for haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, fragrance and cosmetics. It is one of the flagship brands of the LVMH group.

diorama

noun

A miniature three-dimensional scene, often with a painted backdrop and modeled figures, used to display a landscape or historical moment.

dioxide

noun

A chemical compound in which two oxygen atoms are bonded to one atom of another element.

dip

verb

To lower something briefly into a liquid.

dipa

name

A female given name from South Asia.

diphenhydramine

noun

An antihistamine and anticholinergic drug that blocks the effect of histamine at H₁ receptor sites, relieving allergy symptoms. It also reduces smooth muscle contraction, increases heart rate, and sedates the user by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs).

diphtheria

noun

A serious bacterial infection that inflames the throat and upper airways.

diplex

adj

Involving the transmission of two messages in the same direction at the same time.

diploma

noun

An official document awarded for completing a course of study or earning a qualification.

diplomacy

noun

The practice of managing relations between countries through negotiation rather than conflict.

diplomat

noun

An official who represents their country in dealings with other governments.

diplomatic

adj

Relating to relations between governments and their representatives.

diplomatist

noun

Synonym of diplomat.

dipolar

adj

Having north and south magnetic poles.

dipped

adj

Briefly immersed in a liquid.

dipper

noun

A long-handled cup or scoop used for ladling liquid.

dipping

noun

The act of briefly submerging something in a liquid.

dippy

adj

(informal) Silly or lacking common sense.

dipshit

noun

(vulgar, slang) A stupid or contemptible person.

dipsomania

noun

Addiction to alcohol.

dipsomaniac

noun

One with a morbid paroxysmal craving for alcohol; an alcoholic.

dipstick

noun

A rod used to measure the level of a fluid, such as oil in an engine.

dire

adj

Extremely serious or urgent, often warning of disaster.

direct

adj

Going straight from one point to another without stopping or changing course.

direct democracy

noun

A system of government in which citizens vote on laws and policies themselves, rather than electing representatives to decide on their behalf.

directed

adj

Guided or aimed toward a particular goal or target.

direction

noun

The line or path along which something moves or faces.

directional

adj

Relating to or indicating direction.

directions

noun

Instructions explaining how to get somewhere or how to do something.

directive

noun

An official instruction or order.

directly

adv

In a straight line or straightforward manner, without detour.

directness

noun

The state or quality of being direct.

director

noun

A person in charge of a department, organization, or project.

directorate

noun

A division of an organization headed by a director.

directory

noun

A list of names, addresses, or other information, usually organized alphabetically or by category.

dirge

noun

A mournful poem or piece of music composed or performed as a memorial to a deceased person.

dirigible

noun

A self-propelled airship that can be steered.

dirigisme

noun

A policy of strong state control over the economy and related social matters.

dirk

noun

A long dagger with a straight blade, traditionally associated with Scotland.

dirt

noun

Soil, earth, or any unclean substance on a surface.

dirtbag

noun

(informal, derogatory) A dishonest or disreputable person.

dirtball

noun

A dirty or sleazy person.

dirtbrain

noun

A person of low intelligence.

dirten

verb

To make or become dirty or soiled.

dirtiness

noun

The state or quality of being dirty.

dirtsome

adj

Marked by dirtiness or by being dirty

dirty

adj

Unclean or covered in dirt, grime, or other unpleasant matter.

dis

verb

Informal short form of "disrespect" — to insult or put someone down.