English dictionary — definitions & meanings

ecosystem

noun

A community of living things together with the physical environment they interact with.

ecotone

noun

A transition area between two adjacent ecological communities (ecosystems).

ecphonesis

noun

Exclamation.

ecstasy

noun

A feeling of intense joy or pleasure, often so strong it overwhelms rational thought.

ecstatic

adj

Extremely happy or joyful; overjoyed.

ectasia

noun

In medicine, the abnormal widening or stretching of a tube-shaped or hollow structure in the body, such as a duct, blood vessel or airway.

ectoplasm

noun

In spiritualism, a mysterious substance said to be given off by a medium's body during a séance.

Ecuador

noun

A country on the northwestern coast of South America, home to the Galápagos Islands and named for the equator, which passes through it.

ecumenical

adj

Pertaining to the universal Church, representing the entire Christian world; interdenominational; sometimes by extension, interreligious.

eczema

noun

A skin condition causing red, itchy, inflamed patches that can become scaly or weep fluid.

ed

noun

A short informal way of saying "education," especially in school or course names.

Eda

name

A female given name of Old English origin, and a municipality in Sweden.

edacious

adj

Having an insatiable appetite; voracious; ravenous; piggish.

edda

name

A collection of Old Norse poems and tales from two medieval manuscripts found in Iceland.

edder

noun

A long flexible stick, rod or other piece of wood worked into the top of hedge stakes, to bind them together.

Eddie

name

A familiar short form of male names such as Edward, Edgar, or Edwin.

Eddington

name

A habitational surname of Old English origin, and the name of several English villages, notably borne by physicist Arthur Eddington.

eddo

noun

A plant (Colocasia esculenta, but often identified as Colocasia antiquorum, among numerous other synonyms), which is usually considered a variety of C. esculenta, with edible starchy tubers.

eddy

noun

A swirl of water or air that spins in the opposite direction to the main flow around it.

Edelstein

name

A German surname, meaning "gemstone".

edelweiss

noun

A small alpine flower with woolly, star-shaped white blooms and silvery-grey leaves, found high in mountain ranges like the Alps.

edema

noun

Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.

Eden

name

A garden built by God as the home for Adam and Eve; sometimes identified as part of Mesopotamia.

Edgar

name

A male given name from Old English, meaning roughly "rich spear."

edge

noun

The outer boundary or line where something ends.

edged

adj

Having a sharp, defined edge or surface.

Edgehill

name

An English surname, also the name of a village in Warwickshire and the site of the first major battle of the English Civil War.

edgelord

noun

Someone who tries to appear edgy by doing or saying provocative, controversial, taboo, or offensive things.

edges

noun

The fine hairs at the edge of someone's (usually a black woman's) hairline; baby hairs.

edgesphere

name

The collective ecosystem of nihilistic, transgressive, and extremist internet subcultures, particularly those involving larpercore, gore networks, and the 764 network.

edgeways

adv

With the edge facing in the direction of movement.

edging

noun

A strip, border, or trim that marks the outer edge of something.

edgy

adj

Tense, nervous, or on the verge of losing patience.

Edi

name

A short feminine given name, sometimes used as a nickname for Edith or Edwina.

edible

adj

Safe and fit to eat.

edict

noun

An official order or proclamation issued by someone in authority.

Edie

name

A feminine given name, commonly used as a diminutive of Edith.

edification

noun

The act of edifying, or the state of being edified or improved; a building process, especially morally, emotionally, or spiritually.

edificator

noun

One who or that which edifies; an edifier.

edifice

noun

A large, imposing building, especially one of architectural significance.

edificial

adj

Pertaining to an edifice; structural.

edify

verb

To build, construct.

edifying

adj

That educates, informs, illuminates or instructs.

edifyingly

adv

In such a manner as to instruct or enlighten.

edifyingness

noun

The quality of being edifying.

edington

name

A village and civil parish in Somerset, England, previously in Sedgemoor district (OS grid ref ST3839).

Edison

name

An English surname and masculine given name, historically meaning "son of Adam" or "son of Eden," and famously associated with inventor Thomas Edison.

edit

verb

To change, correct, or improve a piece of writing, video, or other content.

edited

adj

Changed or revised from an original version.

Edith

name

A feminine given name of Old English origin, meaning "prosperous in war" or "riches, blessed."

editing

noun

The process of reviewing and revising written or recorded material.

edition

noun

A particular version of a published work, issued at a specific time or in a specific format.

editor

noun

A person who reviews and revises written material before publication.

editorial

noun

An article expressing the opinion of a publication's editors on a current issue.

EDM

noun

A broad category of music made with synthesisers, drum machines and computers, built around a strong repeating beat and intended mainly for clubs, festivals and dancing.

Edmond

name

A masculine given name, a variant spelling of Edmund, meaning "wealthy protector."

Edmonds

name

An English surname meaning "son of Edmund," and the name of a city in Washington state.

Edmonton

name

The capital city of Alberta, Canada, and also a district in North London.

Edmund

name

A masculine given name of Old English origin, meaning "wealthy protector."

Edmunds

name

An English surname meaning "son of Edmund."

Edna

name

A feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "delight" or "pleasure."

Edo

name

The former name of Tokyo, Japan, used during the Edo period (1603-1868), and also a masculine given name.

edom

name

The name given to Esau in the Hebrew Bible.

EDP

noun

Eau de parfum: a perfume concentration typically containing around 15 to 20 per cent fragrance oil, stronger and longer-lasting than eau de toilette.

edrick

name

A male given name from Old English, variant of Edric.

EDT

noun

Eastern Daylight Time: the clock time used in the eastern United States and eastern Canada during the summer months, four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC−4).

edu

noun

Informal short form of "education."

Eduard

name

A masculine given name, a European variant of Edward, meaning "wealthy guardian."

Eduardo

name

A masculine given name, the Spanish and Portuguese form of Edward, meaning "wealthy guardian."

educate

verb

To teach or train someone, giving them knowledge or skills.

educated

adj

Having received a significant level of schooling or training.

educatee

noun

Someone who is being educated.

educating

adj

Serving to teach or inform; having an educational effect.

education

noun

The process of teaching or learning, especially in schools.

educational

adj

Relating to education or teaching.

educator

noun

A person who teaches, especially one recognized for skill in the profession.

educe

verb

To direct the course of (a flow, journey etc.); to lead in a particular direction.

edulcorate

verb

To make more acceptable or palatable.

Edward

name

A male given name from Old English, borne by numerous kings of England.

edwardes

name

A surname originating as a patronymic derived from the given name Edward.

Edwardian

adj

Relating to the period of British history from about 1901 to 1910, during the reign of King Edward VII.

Edwards

name

An English and Welsh surname, originally meaning "son of Edward."

Edwin

name

A male given name of Old English origin, roughly meaning "wealthy friend."

Edwina

name

A female given name, the feminine form of Edwin.

ee

intj

A dialectal or informal exclamation used much like "eh" or "oh," often in Scottish or Northern English speech.

eee

intj

An excited exclamation of happiness, similar to "yay!"

eejit

noun

An idiot; a fool; an imbecile.

eek

intj

An exclamation representing a sudden scream, especially one of surprise or mild fear.

eel

noun

A long, snake-like fish with a smooth body and no obvious scales.

een

adv

A dialectal shortening of "even," used in older or regional English.

eeny

adj

Tiny; extremely small.

eep

intj

A small exclamation of surprise or embarrassment.

eerie

adj

Strange and unsettling in a way that suggests something mysterious or supernatural.

eerily

adv

In a way that is strange and unsettling, as if something is not quite right.

eeriness

noun

The condition of being eerie.

Eeyore

noun

A person who is chronically gloomy, pessimistic, or low-energy.

ef

noun

The name of the letter F.

eff

verb

A euphemistic stand-in for "fuck," used to swear without saying the word outright.

effable

adj

Able to be spoken of; able to be expressed.

effaced

verb

Past tense and past participle of efface: to rub out, erase or wear away a mark, inscription or image so that it can no longer be seen.

effect

noun

A change that is the result or consequence of something else.

effected

adj

Brought about or made to happen; put into effect.

effective

adj

Producing the intended result; actually working.

effectively

adv

In a way that produces the intended result; successfully.

effectiveness

noun

The degree to which something achieves the result it is meant to.

effectivity

noun

The ability or power to be effective.

effectual

adj

Producing the intended result; entirely adequate.

effectualness

noun

The state or condition of being effectual.

effectuate

verb

To cause, bring about (an event); to accomplish, to carry out (a wish, plan etc.).

effeminate

adj

Of a man or boy, having qualities or mannerisms traditionally associated with women.

effendi

noun

A title of respect for an educated or distinguished man, historically used in Turkey and other parts of the former Ottoman Empire.

efferent

adj

Carrying away from.

effervesce

verb

To emit small bubbles of dissolved gas; to froth or fizz.

effervescent

adj

Giving off bubbles; fizzy.

effete

adj

exhausted, spent, worn-out.

efficacious

adj

Effective; possessing efficacy.

efficaciousness

noun

Quality of being efficacious; efficacy.

efficacy

noun

The power to produce a desired result, especially under controlled or ideal conditions.

efficiency

noun

The quality of using time, energy, or resources well without unnecessary waste.

efficient

adj

Achieving maximum results with minimum wasted time, effort, or resources.

efficiently

adv

In a way that avoids wasting time, effort, or resources.

Effie

name

A short form of the female given name Euphemia, sometimes used as a name in its own right.

effigiate

verb

To form as an effigy or make a representation of; to illustrate or depict.

effigy

noun

A crude model or figure made to represent a person or group, often so it can be mocked, burned, or destroyed in protest.

effing

adj

A euphemistic substitute for "fucking," used as a mild intensifier or curse.

effloresce

verb

To burst into bloom; to flower.

efflorescence

noun

The production of flowers.

effluent

noun

A stream that flows out, such as from a lake or reservoir; an outflow; effluence.

efflux

noun

The process of flowing out.

effort

noun

Physical or mental energy put into doing something.

effortful

adj

Requiring or showing effort.

effortless

adj

Done with ease, requiring little or no visible effort.

effortlessly

adv

Without visible effort or strain; with ease.

effortlessness

noun

The state of being effortless; facility.

effrontery

noun

Insolent and shameless audacity.

effulgence

noun

A state of being bright and radiant, splendor, brilliance.

effulgent

adj

Radiant, resplendent, shining.

effuse

adj

Poured out freely; profuse.

effusion

noun

A sudden, uncontrolled outpouring of speech or emotion.

effusive

adj

Gushy; unrestrained, extravagant or excessive (in emotional expression).

EFT

noun

The movement of money from one bank account to another by computer, without paper cheques or cash changing hands.

eftsoons

adv

Once again; another time.

egad

intj

An old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, dismay, or mild outrage.

egalitarian

adjective

Based on the principle that all people are of equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities.

Egan

name

A surname of Irish origin.

Egbert

name

A male given name of Old English origin, historically borne by early English kings.

egestion

noun

The act or result of egesting

egg

noun

An oval or round body laid by birds, reptiles, and many other animals, usually containing a developing embryo.

eggbeater

noun

A kitchen utensil that uses rotating blades to beat eggs.

egged

adj

Coated with or containing egg.