English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

digest

verb

To break food down in the stomach and intestines so the body can absorb its nutrients.

digester

noun

A person or thing that breaks something down.

digestible

adj

Able to be broken down and absorbed by the body.

digestion

noun

The bodily process of breaking food down so it can be absorbed and used.

digestive

adjective

Relating to or helping the process of digestion.

digger

noun

A machine used for digging, such as an excavator.

diggety

adv

(informal) Used to add emphasis to what is being said.

Diggin

name

A rare surname, a variant spelling related to Diggins or Duggan.

digging

noun

The act of making holes or excavating earth.

diggity

noun

(slang) A playful, sing-song filler word used in phrases and word games, often for rhythm or emphasis.

Diggle

name

An English surname derived from a place name in Yorkshire.

Diggs

name

An English surname, a variant of Diggs or Diggle.

dight

adj

(archaic) Decorated, dressed up, or fitted out in fine style.

digit

noun

Any of the ten Arabic numerals (0–9), or a single symbol in a number system.

digital

adjective

Using or storing information as discrete numerical values rather than a continuous signal, as computers do.

digitalin

noun

Any of a blend of glycosides taken from the foxglove plant and used as heart stimulants.

digitalis

noun

A plant of the foxglove genus, or a heart medication extracted from it.

digitality

noun

The state of being digital.

digitalize

verb

Another word for digitize: to turn something into digital form.

digitally

adverb

In a digital way; using computer or digital technology.

digitate

adj

Having fingers, or parts shaped like fingers.

digitigrade

adj

Of an animal: walking on the toes, putting the weight of the body mainly on the ball of the foot, with the back of the foot, or heel, raised.

digitization

noun

The process of turning data or information from analogue form into digital or binary form.

digits

noun

(informal, plural) A telephone number, especially one exchanged with a romantic prospect.

dignification

noun

The act of giving something or someone dignity.

dignified

adjective

Showing calm, self-respecting seriousness; behaving in a way that commands respect.

dignify

verb

To give something an air of importance or worth it may not really deserve.

dignitary

noun

A person of high rank, office, or importance.

dignity

noun

The quality of being worthy of respect; a calm, composed sense of self-worth.

digress

verb

To wander away from the main topic when speaking or writing.

digression

noun

A part of a speech or piece of writing that wanders away from the main topic.

digressive

adj

Tending to wander off the main topic; rambling.

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

An order handed down by someone in power, without the agreement of the people it affects.

dilapidate

verb

To make something fall into ruin or disrepair.

dilapidated

adjective

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

dilatation

noun

Speech or writing that goes on for far too long.

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

A tendency to put things off or act slowly.

dilatory

adj

Deliberately slow, in order to delay a decision or gain more time.

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

A herb with a fresh, slightly sharp taste, used to season food and in traditional remedies.

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

Something used to make a substance weaker by adding liquid to it.

dilutable

adj

Able to be diluted or, more strongly, fit for dilution.

dilutant

noun

A substance added to make something else weaker 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 a substance weaker or thinner, often by adding water.

dilutory

adj

Making something weaker or thinner by adding liquid.

diluvium

noun

A large flood or sudden rush of water.

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

(informal) A silly or stupid person.

dime

noun

A US or Canadian coin worth ten cents.

dimenhydrinate

noun

A medicine you can buy without a prescription, taken to stop travel sickness and feelings of nausea.

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

Having a measurable size, rather than being treated as a plain number.

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

A reduction in the size, amount, or quality of something.

diminuendo

noun

(music) A sign showing that a passage should be played getting gradually quieter.

diminution

noun

A lessening, decrease or reduction.

diminutive

adjective

Very small in size.

diminutization

noun

The process of putting a word into its shorter, diminutive form.

diminutize

verb

To turn a word or name into its 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 faint or unclear way; without a bright or sharp quality.

dimmer

noun

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

dimmet

noun

The time just after sunset when the light is fading; dusk.

dimming

noun

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

dimness

noun

A lack of brightness, clarity, or sharpness.

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

(informal) A lack of intelligence.

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 area in a house, often next to the kitchen, set aside for casual meals.

ding

noun

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

dingbat

noun

(informal) A silly or foolish person.

dinger

noun

A bell that makes a ringing sound.

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

A small red berry that grows on a shrub found in mountain areas of the southern United States.

dinglehopper

noun

(informal) A word used for something whose proper name you cannot remember.

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 in charge of a diocese.

diocese

noun

A district under the authority of a bishop.

diode

noun

An electronic component that lets electric current flow in one direction only.

Dion

name

A male given name of Ancient Greek origin.

dione

name

The name of a figure said to be Aphrodite's mother, and possibly identical to the goddess Rhea.

Dionne

name

A French-Canadian surname.

dionysia

noun

Wild Ancient Greek festivals held each year to honour the god Dionysus, from which Greek comedy and tragedy developed.

dionysiac

adj

Relating to the god Dionysus or to festivals held in his honour.

dionysian

adj

Connected with the Greek god 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 first name of South Asia origin.

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.

diphthong

noun

A vowel sound within one syllable that begins as one vowel and ends as another.

diplex

adj

Describes a system that carries two messages together, both travelling the same way at once.

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.

diplomatics

noun

The academic discipline that establishes whether an old official document is genuine, works out when it was produced, and interprets its contents.

diplomatist

noun

Another word for a diplomat.