English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Elinor

name

A female given name, a variant spelling of Eleanor.

Eliot

name

A surname and male given name, a variant of Elliott.

Elisa

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Elisa/Elissa related to Elizabeth or Eliza.

Elisabeth

name

A feminine given name, a spelling variant of Elizabeth, of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my oath."

Elise

name

A feminine given name, a French short form of Elizabeth.

Elisha

name

A masculine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is salvation," and the name of a biblical prophet.

Elissa

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Elisa or Elizabeth, also linked in legend to the founder of Carthage.

elite

noun

The smallest, most powerful or most accomplished group within a larger population.

elitist

adj

Reflecting the belief that a small select group deserves special status or privilege.

elixir

noun

A magical or legendary potion believed to cure any illness or grant eternal life.

Eliza

name

A feminine given name, a short form of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth

name

A feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath," borne by several queens of England.

Elizabethan

adj

Belonging to or typical of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558-1603) — a period known for its drama, poetry, and exploration.

elk

noun

A very large species of deer found across Europe and Asia, called a moose in North America.

elke

name

A female given name of German and Dutch origin.

Elkins

name

An English surname meaning "son of Elkin," and the name of a city in West Virginia.

Elks

noun

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a fraternal and charitable club found in towns across the United States.

ell

noun

An old unit of length, roughly the distance from elbow to fingertip, historically around 45 inches in England.

Ella

name

A feminine given name, often used as a short form of names like Eleanor or Isabella.

Elle

name

A feminine given name derived from the French word "elle," meaning "she," and also a fashion magazine title.

ellen

name

A female given name derived from the Ancient Greek name Helen.

Eller

name

A German and English surname, an occupational or topographic name often linked to alder trees or estate ownership.

Ellery

name

A given name and surname of English origin, notably used for the fictional detective Ellery Queen.

Ellie

name

A feminine given name, commonly a short form of Eleanor, Ellen, or Elizabeth.

Ellingham

name

An English surname and place name, originally denoting someone from a village called Ellingham.

Ellington

name

An English surname and place name, famously borne by jazz composer and bandleader Duke Ellington.

Elliot

name

A masculine given name and surname, a variant of Elliott, related to the name Elijah.

elliptical

adj

Shaped like an ellipse — a flattened, oval curve.

Ellis

name

An English surname derived from the given name Elias, and the name of Ellis Island in New York Harbor.

Ellison

name

An English surname meaning "son of Ellis," borne by writers and businesspeople including novelist Ralph Ellison.

Ellsworth

name

An English surname and place name, also used as a masculine given name, meaning roughly "noble's estate."

elm

noun

A tall deciduous tree with broad, ridged leaves, once common as a shade tree along streets.

Elmer

name

A male given name, an English surname originally, brought back into use as a first name in 19th-century America.

Elmo

noun

A document camera — a device that projects a live image of a paper, book, or object onto a screen, common in classrooms.

Elmore

name

An English surname and place name, also used as a given name, notably borne by crime novelist Elmore Leonard.

Elms

name

An English surname, originally denoting someone who lived near elm trees.

elon

noun

A chemical used in photographic developer, also known as metol, that helps convert exposed silver crystals into a visible image.

elongated

adj

Stretched out so as to be longer and thinner than usual.

elope

verb

To run away secretly with a partner in order to get married, usually without a big wedding or family involvement.

eloping

noun

The act of running away secretly to get married.

eloquence

noun

Skill in speaking or writing that is fluent, persuasive, and moving.

eloquent

adj

Able to express ideas fluently, persuasively, and with polish, especially in speech.

eloquently

adverb

In a fluent, persuasive, and well-expressed way.

Elroy

name

A masculine given name, an English form related to Leroy, meaning "the king."

Elsa

name

A feminine given name, a short form of Elizabeth, popularized worldwide as the main character in Disney's "Frozen."

else

adjective

Other than the person or thing already mentioned; additional.

elsewhere

adverb

In, at, or to some other place.

Elsie

name

A feminine given name, a diminutive of Elizabeth or Elspeth.

Elspeth

name

A feminine given name, the Scottish form of Elizabeth.

Elton

name

An English surname and given name, notably associated with musician Elton John, meaning "old town" or "Ella's town."

elude

verb

To avoid or escape someone or something, often through cleverness or luck.

elusive

adjective

Hard to catch, find, pin down, or fully understand.

Elvin

name

A masculine given name and surname, a variant of Alvin, meaning "elf friend" or "noble friend."

Elvira

name

A feminine given name of Spanish or Germanic origin, meaning uncertain but often linked to "true" or "noble."

Elvis

name

A male given name, made famous worldwide by singer Elvis Presley (1935-1977).

Elwood

name

A masculine given name and surname of English origin, meaning "old forest."

Ely

name

A cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, England, and also a surname derived from it.

Elyse

name

A feminine given name, a variant spelling of Elise, related to Elizabeth.

Elysian

adj

Blissfully happy; heavenly, as if belonging to paradise.

Elysium

noun

In Greek and Roman mythology, the paradise where virtuous or heroic souls went after death.

em

noun

A typographic unit of measurement equal to the point size of the current font, used to size text and spacing.

ema

noun

A small wooden plaque on which a wish or prayer is written and hung at a Shinto shrine in Japan.

emaciated

adjective

Extremely thin and weak, usually from starvation or serious illness.

email

noun

A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a network such as the Internet.

emailing

noun

The act of sending a message or messages by email.

emancipated

adjective

Freed from control, restriction, or oppression.

emancipation

noun

The act of freeing someone from slavery, legal control, or oppressive restriction.

Emanuel

name

A masculine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is with us."

embalming

noun

The process of treating a dead body with chemicals to slow decay and preserve its appearance.

embankment

noun

A raised bank of earth or stone built to hold back water, or to carry a road or railway across low ground.

embargo

noun

An official ban on trade with a particular country.

embark

verb

To board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle at the start of a journey.

embarking

noun

The act of boarding a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or of starting a new undertaking.

embarrass

verb

To make someone feel awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious, often in front of others.

embarrassed

adjective

Feeling awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious.

embarrassing

adjective

Causing feelings of shame or awkward self-consciousness.

embarrassment

noun

A feeling of awkward shame or self-consciousness.

embassy

noun

The official group of diplomats representing one country's government in another country, along with the building they work from.

embedded

adjective

Fixed firmly and deeply into a surrounding mass or structure.

embellish

verb

To decorate something to make it more attractive.

embellished

adjective

Decorated or made more elaborate, often with added detail that may not be strictly true.

ember

noun

A small glowing piece of coal or wood left over after a fire has died down.

embers

noun

The glowing, smoldering remnants of a fire after the flames have died down.

embezzlement

noun

The crime of secretly stealing money or property that was entrusted to your care, usually by an employee from an employer.

embezzler

noun

A person who steals money or property that has been placed in their trust, often an employee stealing from their employer.

embezzling

verb

Stealing money or property that has been entrusted to your care; committing embezzlement.

embittered

adj

Made bitter, resentful, or angry, usually because of a painful experience.

emblem

noun

A symbol or design that represents an idea, organization, or quality, such as a badge or logo.

embodied

adj

Given a physical or concrete form; experienced through the body rather than purely mentally.

embodiment

noun

A person or thing that represents an idea or quality in physical or concrete form.

embody

verb

To represent an idea or quality in a physical or concrete way; to personify it.

embolism

noun

A blockage in a blood vessel caused by a clot, air bubble, or other matter carried through the bloodstream.

embrace

verb

To hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to hug.

embracing

noun

The act of holding someone closely in the arms, or of willingly accepting an idea or situation.

embroider

verb

To decorate fabric with a needle and coloured thread in a pattern or design.

embroidered

adj

Decorated with stitched thread patterns.

embroidery

noun

The craft or art of decorating fabric by stitching thread or yarn onto it.

embryo

noun

An organism in the earliest stage of development, before it is recognizably formed — in humans, roughly the first eight weeks after conception.

embryonic

adj

Relating to an embryo or its stage of development.

emcee

noun

A person who hosts and introduces acts at an event; a master of ceremonies.

emerald

noun

A precious green gemstone, a variety of beryl, prized for its deep green colour.

emerge

verb

To come out from somewhere hidden or enclosed, becoming visible.

emergence

noun

The process of coming into view, existence, or prominence.

emergency

noun

A sudden, serious situation that requires immediate action.

emergent

adj

Newly coming into existence or prominence.

emerging

adj

Coming into being, prominence, or notice; newly developing.

Emerson

name

An English surname meaning "son of Emery," notably borne by essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson.

emery

noun

A hard, dark mineral used, in powdered or abrasive form, for grinding, sanding, or polishing.

emigrate

verb

To leave one's own country in order to settle permanently in another.

emigration

noun

The act of leaving one's home country to live permanently in another.

Emil

name

A male given name of German and Scandinavian origin, derived from the Latin name Aemilius.

Emile

name

A male given name, the anglicized spelling of the French name Émile.

Emilia

name

A female given name, a variant of Emily derived from Latin.

Emiliano

name

A male given name of Spanish and Italian origin, related to Emil and Emily.

Emily

name

A common female given name derived from the Latin name Aemilia.

Eminem

name

The stage name of American rapper Marshall Mathers, known for his rapid, technical rhyming style.

eminence

noun

High rank, fame, or distinction within a particular field.

eminent

adj

Famous and respected, especially in a particular profession.

eminently

adv

To a notable or high degree; very.

emir

noun

A ruler, prince, or military commander in certain Muslim countries, especially in the Gulf region.

emissary

noun

A person sent on a mission to represent or negotiate on behalf of someone else.

emission

noun

Something released or given off, such as gas, light, or radiation.

emit

verb

To send out or release something, such as light, sound, heat, or a substance.

emitter

noun

A device or thing that gives off something, such as light, heat, or a signal.

Emma

name

A female given name of Germanic origin, long popular across Europe and North America.

Emme

name

A short feminine given name, sometimes used as a nickname for Emma or Emily.

Emmeline

name

A feminine given name of Germanic origin related to Emma, notably borne by suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.

emmet

noun

An ant (used in some regional English dialects, especially in the West Country).

Emmett

name

A masculine given name and surname of English origin, related to Emma.

Emmie

name

A feminine given name, a diminutive of Emma or Emily.

Emmy

noun

A television award given in the United States for excellence in the industry, similar to the Oscars for film.

emo

noun

A style of guitar-driven rock music known for emotional, often confessional lyrics, along with the subculture and fashion associated with it.

emoji

noun

A small digital icon used in texts and online messages to represent an emotion, object, or idea.

Emory

name

A surname and given name of English origin, related to Emery, and the name of Emory University in Atlanta.

emotion

noun

A strong feeling, such as joy, anger, fear, or sadness, often accompanied by physical changes in the body.

emotional

adj

Relating to feelings rather than logic or fact.

emotionally

adv

In a way that involves or shows emotion.

emotionless

adj

Showing no feeling or emotion; blank or detached.

empathetic

adj

Showing an understanding of and sensitivity toward other people's feelings.

empathize

verb

To understand and share the feelings of another person.

empathy

noun

The ability to understand and share someone else's feelings.

emperor

noun

A male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king.

emphasis

noun

Special importance or weight placed on something.

emphasise

verb

British spelling of emphasize: to give special importance or stress to something.

emphasize

verb

To give special importance or extra stress to something.

emphasized

adj

Given extra stress, importance, or attention.

emphatic

adj

Expressed forcefully and with strong conviction.

emphatically

adv

In a forceful, definite manner that leaves no doubt.

empire

noun

A large political unit made up of many territories or peoples, usually ruled over by a single powerful authority.

empirical

adj

Based on observation, experiment, or experience rather than pure theory.