English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

fives

noun

A ball game similar to squash, played by hitting a ball against a wall with a gloved hand.

fivesome

noun

A set of five people or things together.

fix

verb

To repair something that is broken or not working properly.

fixable

adj

Able to be repaired or corrected.

fixate

verb

To make something firm and settled in place.

fixated

adj

Obsessively focused on one person, idea, or thing, often to an unhealthy degree.

fixation

noun

An intense, often unhealthy preoccupation with a particular person, idea, or thing.

fixed

adj

Set firmly in place; not movable.

fixer

noun

A chemical used when developing photographs to make the image permanent and stop further reactions.

fixing

noun

Hardware used to attach or secure something, such as screws or brackets.

fixings

noun

The items or parts needed to make something, especially a meal or an event.

Fixit

noun

A hypothetical or discussed scenario in which Finland leaves the European Union.

fixture

noun

A permanent fitting or appliance attached to a building, such as a sink or light.

fizgig

noun

(dated) A girl who flirts and enjoys going out and about.

fizz

noun

A stream of small bubbles, or the hissing sound they make.

fizzing

noun

The sound or action of bubbling and hissing.

fizzle

verb

To gradually fail or fade away after a promising start.

fizzy

adj

Containing carbon dioxide bubbles; sparkling.

fjord

noun

A long, narrow inlet of the sea bordered by steep cliffs, typically carved by glaciers.

flab

noun

Soft, loose fat on someone's body.

flabagast

verb

An archaic spelling of flabbergast.

flabaghast

verb

An archaic spelling of flabbergast.

flabbergast

verb

To shock someone so much that they are left speechless, often in a comical way.

flabbergasted

adj

Utterly astonished or shocked.

flabbergaster

noun

Someone or something that leaves people utterly astonished.

flabbergastment

noun

A feeling of being utterly amazed or shocked, the same as flabbergast.

flabby

adj

Soft and loose, lacking muscle tone.

flaccid

adj

Soft and limp; lacking firmness.

flack

noun

(informal) A publicist or press agent.

flag

noun

A piece of cloth with a distinctive design, used as a symbol of a country, organization, or signal.

flagellate

verb

To hit someone with a whip.

flagellation

noun

The act of whipping someone, often as punishment or religious self-discipline.

flageolet

noun

A small flute belonging to the fipple family of instruments.

Flagg

name

An English surname, a variant spelling of Flag.

flagged

adj

Marked or noted for particular attention.

flagging

adj

Growing weaker or less energetic.

flaggy

adj

Hanging or drooping downwards.

flagitious

adj

Guilty of dreadful crimes; wicked and criminal.

flagpole

noun

A tall pole used to raise and display one or more flags.

flagrant

adj

Shockingly obvious and clearly wrong; blatant.

Flags

name

A nickname traditionally given to a flag lieutenant in the navy.

flagship

noun

The ship that carries a fleet commander and flies their flag.

flagstaff

noun

A pole used to fly a flag.

flagstone

noun

A flat, rectangular slab of stone laid for paving or fitted as roofing.

Flaherty

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Flaithbheartaigh, meaning "descendant of the bright ruler."

flail

noun

An old farming tool with a short swinging stick attached to a handle, used to beat grain loose from its husks.

flailing

adjective

Moving in an uncontrolled, uncoordinated way, or struggling without success.

flair

noun

A natural talent or instinctive skill for doing something well.

flak

noun

Anti-aircraft gunfire, or the guns that produce it.

flake

noun

A small, thin, flat piece that has broken off something larger.

flaked

adjective

Describes someone who has backed out of a plan or proven unreliable.

flakiness

noun

The state or property of being flaky.

flaky

adjective

Made up of thin, loose layers that easily break apart.

flam

noun

A lie or a deceptive trick meant to mislead someone.

flamboyant

adjective

Bold, showy, and confident in style or behavior, often to draw attention.

flame

noun

The visible, glowing part of a fire.

flamenco

noun

A passionate style of Spanish music and dance from the Andalusia region, marked by guitar, singing, hand-clapping, and fast footwork.

flamethrower

noun

A weapon or tool that shoots out a stream of burning fuel.

flamfew

noun

Something of little or no value, a small unimportant trinket.

flaming

adjective

On fire, with visible flames.

flamingo

noun

A tall wading bird with long legs, a curved neck, and pink or reddish feathers.

flammability

noun

The quality of being flammable.

flammable

adjective

Capable of catching fire easily.

flammule

noun

A small flame, or a mark that looks like one.

flan

noun

A baked custard dessert, often topped with caramel sauce, popular across Spain and Latin America.

Flanagan

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Flannagáin, meaning "descendant of the red-haired one."

flaneur

noun

Someone who wanders without purpose, roaming at a leisurely pace. A person who walks in order to watch and take pleasure in their surroundings rather than to reach a destination.

flange

noun

A projecting rim or edge on an object, used to add strength or attach it to something else.

flanigan

name

A surname of Irish origin.

flank

noun

The side of a person, animal, or group.

flanked

verb

Positioned on either side of someone or something, especially as an escort or for support.

flanker

noun

A rugby player positioned at the side of the scrum.

flannel

noun

A soft woven fabric, originally wool, now often cotton or a blend, used for warm shirts and bedding.

Flannery

name

An Irish surname and given name, from Ó Flannabhra, meaning "red eyebrows."

Flannigan

name

An Irish surname, a variant spelling of Flanagan.

flap

noun

A flat piece attached along one edge that can hang loose or swing, such as on an envelope, pocket, or tent.

flapdoodle

noun

A word used for an object whose real name you cannot remember or do not know.

flapjack

noun

A sweet baked bar made from oats, butter, syrup and sugar.

flapping

noun

The action of moving up and down or side to side loosely and repeatedly.

flaps

noun

An old veterinary name for a condition causing inflammation and swelling in a horse's mouth, especially the cheeks and lips.

flare

noun

A bright light or flame used as a signal or for illumination, often a handheld or fired device.

flared

adjective

Widening gradually toward the bottom or edge, especially describing trousers.

flares

noun

Trousers that widen from the knee down; bell-bottoms.

flaring

noun

The controlled burning off of excess gas, especially at oil and gas facilities.

flash

verb

To shine briefly or repeatedly.

flashback

noun

A scene in a story, film, or book that jumps back to an earlier point in time.

flasher

noun

A device that switches a light on and off repeatedly, such as a turn signal.

flashiness

noun

The quality of looking showy or overly stylish.

flashing

noun

Strips of metal used to seal joints on a roof against water, such as around chimneys or vents.

flashlight

noun

A small portable battery-powered light held in the hand.

flashman

noun

A smooth-talking salesperson or publicist who makes things sound better than they really are.

flashy

adjective

Showy and designed to attract attention, sometimes in a tasteless way.

flask

noun

A narrow-necked container, usually of metal or glass, used to hold and carry liquids.

flaskful

noun

The amount that fills a flask completely.

flat

adj

Level and even, with no slope, bumps, or curves.

flat rate

noun

A fixed charge that stays the same no matter how much of a service is used, how long it takes or how far it travels.

flatbed

adj

Having a flat, open load-carrying surface with no raised sides.

flatboat

noun

A simple flat-bottomed boat used on rivers to transport animals, goods and passengers.

Flatbush

name

A neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City.

flatcar

noun

An open railway wagon with no walls or roof, used to carry goods.

flatfish

noun

A fish, such as a flounder, halibut or sole, that has both eyes on one side of its body and normally swims with its other side facing down.

flatfoot

noun

A condition in which the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the sole lies flat against the ground.

flatland

noun

Another word for a plain: an area of land that stays roughly the same height throughout.

flatline

noun

A continuous, unbroken line on a monitor showing that a heart or brain has stopped functioning.

flatly

adv

In a definite, absolute way that allows no argument.

flatmate

noun

(British) A person you share a flat or rented home with, without being romantically involved.

flatness

noun

The quality of being flat.

flatten

verb

To make something flat or level.

flattened

adj

Made flat, usually by being pressed, crushed, or beaten down.

flatter

verb

To praise someone, often more than they deserve, in order to please them or win favour.

flattered

adj

Pleased and a little proud because of a compliment or gesture.

flatterer

noun

Someone who praises others excessively or insincerely to win their favour.

flattering

adj

Making someone or something look more attractive or impressive than usual.

flattery

noun

Excessive or insincere praise, often given to win someone's favour.

flatulence

noun

Gas trapped in the digestive system, or the release of it.

flatulent

adj

Having gas in the stomach or bowels, and likely to pass wind.

flatus

noun

Gas that forms in the stomach or bowels.

flatware

noun

Knives, forks and spoons used for eating.

Flaubert

name

A French surname, notably that of the novelist Gustave Flaubert.

flaunt

verb

To show something off in an obvious, sometimes boastful way.

flaunting

adj

Showy or ostentatious; drawing attention to itself.

flautist

noun

A person who plays the flute.

Flavia

name

A feminine given name of Latin origin, meaning "golden" or "yellow-haired."

Flavius

name

A masculine given name of Latin origin, meaning "golden" or "yellow-haired," historically a common Roman family name.

flavor

noun

(American spelling) The distinct taste of a food or drink.

flavorer

noun

A person or thing that adds flavour to something.

flavoring

noun

A substance, usually added to food, that gives it taste.

flavorless

adj

Having little or no taste.

flavorous

adj

Full of flavour; tasty.

flavorsome

adj

Having a notable flavour or flavours; flavourful.

flavour

noun

(British spelling) The distinct taste of a food or drink.

flavoured

adj

(British spelling) Having a particular taste, often from an added ingredient.

flavourer

noun

A British standard spelling of flavorer.

flavourful

adj

A UK standard spelling of flavorful.

flavouring

noun

A British standard spelling of flavoring.

flaw

noun

A defect or imperfection, often one that is hidden or not obvious at first.

flawed

adj

Having a defect or imperfection.

flawless

adj

Completely without fault or defect; perfect.

flawlessly

adv

In a way that is completely without fault or error.

flawlessness

noun

The state of having no faults or imperfections.

flawn

noun

A dessert made with a custard filling.

flax

noun

A slender plant grown for its fibers (used to make linen) and its seeds (linseed).

flaxen

adj

Made from, or looking like, the fibres of the flax plant.

flay

verb

To strip the skin from a body.

flayed

adj

Stripped of skin; in some dialects, used as a coarse slang term for having been circumcised.

flea

noun

A tiny, wingless, jumping insect that feeds on the blood of mammals and birds.

fleabag

noun

(informal) A run-down, dirty place to stay, especially a cheap hotel.

fleabrain

noun

(informal) A silly or unintelligent person.

fleak

noun

Another word for a flake.

fleck

noun

A small spot, streak, or speckle.