English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Ga

noun

The Ga language, spoken by the Ga people mainly around Accra in Ghana.

gab

noun

Idle talk or chatter.

Gabby

adjective

Talking a great deal, especially about unimportant things.

Gabe

name

A short form of the male given name Gabriel.

gabi

noun

Taro, a tropical plant grown for its starchy underground corm, which looks a bit like a potato.

gable

noun

The triangular section of wall at the end of a pitched roof, formed where two roof slopes meet.

Gables

name

A surname and place name element, most familiar from the Florida city of Coral Gables.

Gabor

name

A surname of Hungarian origin.

Gabriel

name

A male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning roughly "God is my strength."

Gabriela

name

A female given name, the Latinate feminine form of Gabriel.

Gabriele

name

A male given name used in Italian, equivalent to the English name Gabriel.

Gabriella

name

A female given name, the Italian feminine form of Gabriel.

Gabrielle

name

A female given name of French origin, the feminine form of Gabriel.

Gaby

name

A short form of the female given name Gabrielle, or occasionally a French surname.

Gacy

name

A surname.

gad

interjection

An old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, similar to "goodness!" or "by God!"

Gaddafi

name

A surname, an English transliteration of the Arabic name al-Qaḏḏāfiyy.

gadget

noun

A small mechanical or electronic device, especially a clever or useful one.

Gael

noun

A member of the Gaelic-speaking peoples native to Ireland, Scotland, or the Isle of Man.

Gaelic

noun

Any of the Goidelic languages, especially Irish, Scottish, or Manx Gaelic.

Gaeta

name

A coastal town in the Lazio region of Italy.

gaff

noun

A pole with a large hook on the end, used to pull large fish out of the water.

gaffer

noun

The chief lighting technician on a film or television set.

Gaffney

name

A surname of Irish origin.

gag

noun

Something placed in or over the mouth to prevent someone from speaking or crying out.

gaga

adjective

Mentally confused, especially due to old age.

Gagarin

name

A Russian surname, most famously belonging to Yuri Gagarin, the first person in space.

gage

noun

Something given as a pledge or security, often as a challenge to a duel or contest.

gagged

adjective

Prevented from speaking, either literally by a physical gag or figuratively by a restriction.

gagging

noun

The act of retching, or of preventing someone from speaking.

gaggle

noun

A flock of geese, especially on the ground rather than in flight.

Gagnon

name

A French-Canadian surname, one of the most common family names in Quebec.

gah

intj

Used to express sudden frustration or annoyance.

Gaia

noun

A way of describing the whole Earth as a single living, self-regulating system.

gaiety

noun

A cheerful, lighthearted mood; happiness.

gaily

adv

In a cheerful, carefree way.

gain

verb

To get or come to have something, especially something useful or valuable.

Gaines

name

An English surname, an occupational name related to a steward or one who collects rents, and also used as a given name.

gaining

noun

The act of acquiring or profiting; a gain.

gait

noun

A person's particular manner or pattern of walking.

gal

noun

An informal word for a girl or young woman.

gala

noun

A large, festive public celebration or event.

galactic

adj

Relating to a galaxy, especially the Milky Way.

Galahad

name

In Arthurian legend, a knight famed for his purity who succeeded in finding the Holy Grail.

Galan

name

A Spanish surname derived from a word meaning "gallant" or "elegant."

galaxy

noun

A massive system of stars, gas, dust, and often a central black hole, held together by gravity.

gale

noun

A very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but not as violent as a storm.

Galen

name

A celebrated Greek physician and philosopher of ancient Rome whose ideas shaped Western medicine for over a thousand years.

Galia

noun

A type of hybrid melon with sweet, greenish flesh and a netted rind.

Galicia

name

A region and autonomous community in northwestern Spain known for its rugged coastline and Celtic heritage.

galilee

name

A hilly region in northern Israel, prominent in the biblical accounts of Jesus' life.

galileo

name

Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer and physicist who improved the telescope and championed the idea that Earth orbits the Sun.

Galina

name

A female given name common in Russian and Bulgarian, meaning roughly "calm."

gall

noun

Bold, brazen nerve; shameless audacity.

Gallagher

name

An Irish surname, anglicized from Gaelic, meaning "foreign helper."

gallant

adj

Brave and honorable, especially in the face of danger.

gallantry

noun

Great courage, especially in battle or under difficult circumstances.

galleon

noun

A large, multi-decked sailing ship with square rigging, used mainly from the 15th to 17th centuries for war and trade.

galleria

noun

A covered shopping arcade or indoor space lined with stores.

gallery

noun

A room or building used to display works of art.

galley

noun

The kitchen area on a ship or aircraft.

Gallipoli

name

A peninsula in Turkey where a major, costly Allied campaign was fought during World War I.

gallivanting

noun

Wandering around from place to place in search of fun, often without much purpose.

Gallo

name

A minority Romance language spoken in northwestern France, alongside Breton.

gallon

noun

A unit of liquid volume, roughly 3.8 liters in the US and 4.5 liters in the UK.

gallop

noun

A horse's fastest gait, where all four hooves leave the ground at once.

galloping

noun

Movement at a gallop; running very fast.

Galloway

name

A historic region in southwestern Scotland.

gallows

noun

A wooden frame used for hanging condemned prisoners.

Gallup

name

An English surname, widely known from the Gallup organization famous for public opinion polling, and also a city in New Mexico.

galore

adj

In great abundance (always placed after the noun it describes).

Galt

name

A Scottish surname, also notable as the name of the character John Galt in Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."

Galvan

name

A Spanish surname derived from a personal name related to Galvano, meaning "white hawk."

Galvin

name

An Irish surname anglicized from Gaelic, also used as a given name.

Galway

name

A city and county on the west coast of Ireland, known for its arts scene and Atlantic coastline.

gam

noun

A person's leg, especially a shapely one — a dated, informal usage.

gama

noun

Short for gama grass, a tall wild grass used as forage.

gambit

noun

In chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position.

gamble

verb

To bet money or stake something valuable on an uncertain outcome, especially in games of chance.

gambler

noun

A person who bets money on games of chance or uncertain outcomes.

gambling

noun

The activity of betting money on games, sports, or other uncertain events, mixing skill and luck.

Gamboa

name

A Spanish and Portuguese surname originating from a place name in the Basque Country.

Gambon

name

A surname of Irish origin, notably borne by the actor Sir Michael Gambon.

game

noun

An activity played for entertainment or competition, following a set of rules.

gamekeeper

noun

A person responsible for protecting and managing wildlife on an estate, especially game animals raised for hunting.

gamer

noun

A person who plays video games regularly, often as a serious hobby.

Games

noun

The Olympic Games, or a similarly large multi-sport competition.

gamma

noun

The third letter of the Greek alphabet (Γ, γ).

gammy

adj

Injured or not working properly, especially describing a leg.

gan

name

One of the major groups of Chinese dialects, spoken mainly in Jiangxi province.

Gandalf

name

A wizard character in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."

gander

noun

An adult male goose.

Gandhi

name

Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian independence leader famous for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance.

Ganesha

name

The elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom, intellect, and new beginnings, son of Shiva and Parvati.

gang

noun

A group of people, often criminals, who band together and share an identity or purpose.

ganga

name

The river Ganges, personified as a goddess in Hinduism.

gangbanger

noun

A member of a street gang, especially one involved in gang violence.

gangbusters

adj

Extremely successful or thriving.

Ganges

name

A major river flowing through India and Bangladesh, considered sacred in Hinduism.

ganging

noun

In fishing, a short length of line used to attach a hook to the main fishing line.

gangland

noun

The world of organized crime and criminal gangs.

Gangnam

name

A wealthy, fashionable district of Seoul, South Korea.

gangplank

noun

A movable board or ramp used as a bridge between a ship and the dock.

gangrene

noun

The death and decay of body tissue, usually caused by a lost or blocked blood supply, or infection.

gangster

noun

A member of an organized criminal gang.

gangway

noun

A narrow passage or aisle used to enter or exit somewhere, such as between seats or buildings.

ganja

noun

Marijuana, especially as smoked for its intoxicating effect.

Gannon

name

An Irish surname anglicized from Gaelic, also used as a given name.

Gant

name

A surname, a variant of Gaunt, historically associated with the city of Ghent.

gantry

noun

A large overhead framework used to support equipment, signage, or a crane, often spanning a road or railway.

Ganymede

name

In Greek mythology, a beautiful youth carried off to serve as cupbearer to the gods on Olympus.

Ganz

name

A German and Jewish surname meaning "whole" or "entire."

Gao

name

A common Chinese surname meaning "tall" or "high."

gap

noun

An empty space or opening between two things, or a break in something continuous.

gape

verb

To stare with your mouth open wide, usually in shock or amazement.

gaping

adj

Wide open, especially describing a large hole, wound, or crack.

gar

noun

A long, slender freshwater fish with narrow, tooth-filled jaws, found mainly in North America.

garage

noun

A building, or part of one, used to store a car or other vehicle.

garb

noun

A style of clothing, especially one associated with a particular role, place, or era.

garbage

noun

Waste material, especially food scraps and household rubbish, thrown away as useless.

Garber

name

A German and Jewish surname, an occupational name for a tanner.

garbled

adj

Distorted or scrambled to the point of being unclear or hard to understand.

garbo

noun

Australian informal term for a garbage collector.

Garcia

name

A very common Spanish surname of uncertain but ancient origin, possibly from a Basque or pre-Roman personal name.

garden

noun

An outdoor area, often next to a house, where flowers, vegetables, or other plants are grown.

gardener

noun

A person who grows and tends plants, either as a job or a hobby.

gardenia

noun

A shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers, or the flower itself.

gardening

noun

The activity of growing and tending plants, especially in a garden.

Gardiner

name

An English surname, a variant spelling of Gardner, originally an occupational name for a gardener.

Gardner

name

An English surname, an occupational name for someone who tended a garden.

gare

noun

The coarse, wiry wool that grows on a sheep's legs, of lower quality than the wool on its body.

Gareth

name

A male given name of Welsh origin, borne by a knight in Arthurian legend.

Garfield

name

A male given name and surname; also the name of a famous orange cartoon cat.

Garfunkel

name

A Jewish surname, notably borne by musician Art Garfunkel of the duo Simon and Garfunkel.

gargantuan

adj

Enormous in size, extent, or amount.

gargle

verb

To rinse the mouth or throat with liquid, tilting the head back and pushing air through it to make a bubbling sound.

gargling

noun

The act of rinsing the throat with a liquid held at the back of the mouth while exhaling air through it.

gargoyle

noun

A carved stone figure, often grotesque, that projects from a building and channels rainwater away from the walls.

garibaldi

noun

A flat biscuit made of currants pressed between two thin layers of pastry.

garish

adj

Unpleasantly bright or showy, in a tasteless way.

garland

noun

A decorative ring or chain of flowers, leaves, or other material, worn or hung as a decoration.

garlic

noun

A plant related to the onion, grown for its strong-smelling, pungent bulb used widely in cooking.

garment

noun

An item of clothing.

garner

verb

To gather or collect something, especially over time and through effort, such as support, praise, or information.

garnet

noun

A hard, deep red mineral used as a gemstone or as an abrasive.

garnett

verb

To shred and separate waste textile fibers, such as old rags, so they can be reprocessed into new yarn.

Garnier

name

A French surname, also a well-known cosmetics and hair care brand founded by Alfred Garnier.

garnish

verb

To decorate a dish of food with a small extra item, or more generally to decorate or embellish something.

garret

noun

A small room at the top of a house, just under the roof, often used as a cramped living space.

Garrett

name

A masculine given name and surname derived from the Norman French form of Gerard.

Garrick

noun

A large predatory fish, also called the leerfish, found along African and Mediterranean coasts.

Garrido

name

A Spanish and Portuguese surname meaning "handsome" or "elegant."

garrison

noun

A permanent military post, or the troops stationed there.

Garrity

name

An Irish surname anglicized from Gaelic.

garrow

noun

Garo people

Garry

name

A masculine given name, a variant spelling of Gary.

Garson

name

A surname and given name, notably borne by actress Greer Garson.

garter

noun

A band worn around the leg to hold up a sock or stocking.

garth

noun

A small enclosed yard or garden, especially one surrounded by a cloister or attached to a house.

garuda

noun

A giant bird-like figure from Hindu and Buddhist mythology, often shown as part man and part eagle.

garvey

noun

A flat-bottomed boat, traditionally used along the New Jersey shore.

Garvin

name

An Irish surname and given name, a variant of Galvin.

Garwood

name

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "triangular wood."

Gary

noun

Synonym of Gary Glitter (“anus”).

Garza

name

A Spanish surname derived from a word for "heron."

gas

noun

A state of matter, like air, that has no fixed shape or volume and spreads to fill its container.

Gascoigne

name

An English surname derived from Gascony, a historical region of southwestern France, notably borne by footballer Paul Gascoigne.

gaseous

adj

Existing in the form of a gas.

gash

noun

A long, deep cut in the skin or in a surface.

gasket

noun

A thin piece of material, such as rubber or metal, placed between two surfaces to stop gas or liquid from leaking out.

gasoline

noun

(US) A flammable liquid fuel refined from petroleum, used mainly to power car engines; petrol.

gasp

verb

To suddenly draw in breath, usually from shock or surprise.

Gaspar

name

A masculine given name, a variant of Caspar, traditionally one of the three biblical Magi.

gasping

adj

Struggling to breathe, especially from exertion or shock.

gassed

adj

Poisoned or harmed by exposure to toxic gas.

gassing

noun

The act of poisoning someone with toxic gas.

gassy

adj

Full of gas, or likely to produce gas in the stomach.

Gaston

noun

In rock climbing, a move where a climber pushes sideways on a hold with the thumb pointing down and the elbow out, rather than pulling.

gastric

adj

Relating to the stomach.

gat

noun

Slang for a handgun.

gate

noun

A movable barrier that closes an opening in a wall, fence, or entrance.

gated

adj

Fitted with a gate, or having restricted, controlled access.

gatekeeper

noun

A person or group that controls who or what gets access to something.

gateway

noun

An entrance or opening that can be closed with a gate.

Gath

name

One of the five ancient Philistine city-states, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the hometown of Goliath.

gather

verb

To bring separate things or people together in one place.

gathered

verb

Past tense and past participle of "gather" — to bring together or collect, or to come together as a group.

gathering

noun

A meeting or get-together of people, often social.

Gatling

noun

A rapid-fire gun with several rotating barrels, an early forerunner of the modern machine gun.

gato

noun

Spanish word for "cat," sometimes borrowed casually into English speech or writing.

gator

noun

(informal) An alligator.

Gatorade

noun

A brand-name sports drink designed to replace fluids, sugar, and salts lost through sweat during exercise.

gatsby

noun

In South African English, a large sandwich made from a whole loaf filled with fries, meat, and sauce.

Gatwick

name

A major international airport located south of London, England.

gauche

adj

Socially awkward or clumsy; lacking tact or polish, and prone to embarrassing missteps.

gaucho

noun

A skilled horseman and cattle-herder of the South American grasslands, especially Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.

gaudy

adj

Showy or overdecorated to the point of looking cheap or tasteless.

gauge

verb

To measure something precisely, especially using a dedicated instrument.

Gauguin

name

A French surname, notably borne by the Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin.

Gaul

noun

A native of the ancient region of Gaul, or, poetically, a Frenchman.

gault

noun

A stiff, bluish clay used especially in brickmaking.

Gauna

name

A surname of Basque origin, tied to a particular place, that later spread through Spanish-speaking families.

gaunt

adj

Unhealthily thin, especially with a hollow, drawn look from hunger, illness, or exhaustion.

gauntlet

noun

A heavy protective glove, historically part of a suit of armour, traditionally thrown down as a challenge to fight (as in "throw down the gauntlet").

Gaurav

name

A male first name, popular in India, that comes from a Sanskrit word for dignity or pride.

Gauri

name

A Hindu goddess, often identified with a fair or radiant form of the goddess Parvati.

gauss

noun

A unit of magnetic field strength in the older CGS system of measurement.

Gaussian

adj

Relating to Carl Friedrich Gauss or, especially, to the bell-shaped "normal" statistical distribution named after him.

Gautam

name

A male first name from Sanskrit, also the surname of the historical Buddha.

gauze

verb

To cover or dress a wound with gauze, or to make something look thin and hazy like gauze fabric.

Gav

name

A casual short form of the name Gavin.

gavel

noun

A small ceremonial mallet used by a judge, chairperson, or auctioneer to call for order or to confirm a decision.

Gavin

name

A male first name with Celtic roots, popular across English-speaking countries.

Gaviria

name

A surname of Basque origin, common in Spanish-speaking countries.

Gawain

name

One of the most celebrated knights of the Round Table, and King Arthur's nephew, in medieval legend.

gawk

verb

To stare at something openly and stupidly, often out of surprise or rudeness.

Gay

adj

Homosexual; romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same sex.

Gaya

name

An ancient confederation of small kingdoms in what is now southern Korea, active roughly between the 1st and 6th centuries.

Gayatri

name

A classical Sanskrit poetic metre built from short lines of eight syllables, best known from the Gayatri Mantra.

gaydar

noun

The informal, supposed ability to tell whether someone is gay based on subtle cues in their appearance or behaviour.

Gaye

name

A surname, and also a man's or woman's first name, that started out as a nickname.

gayer

adj

Comparative form of "gay," meaning more cheerful or more brightly colored (dated sense).

Gayle

name

A female given name, a fanciful spelling of Gail, shortened form of Abigail.

Gaylord

name

An American surname, and a once-popular boy's first name derived from it, common up to the 1960s.

Gaynor

name

A female first name from Welsh, a variant of Guinevere, popular in Britain during the 1960s and 70s.

Gays

name

A surname.

Gaz

name

A casual nickname for someone named Gareth or Gary, mostly used in the UK.

Gaza

name

A historical African empire and the Nguni ethnic group linked to it, in what is now southern Mozambique and nearby areas.

gaze

verb

To look at something steadily and for a long time, often in wonder, admiration, or deep thought.

gazebo

noun

A freestanding roofed structure, typically open-sided, built in a garden or park for shade or a scenic view.

gazelle

noun

A small, slender, fast-running antelope found mainly in Africa and Asia.

gazette

noun

A newspaper, especially one that comes out regularly.

gazillion

noun

An enormous, deliberately vague number, used informally rather than as an exact figure.

gazing

noun

The act of looking at something steadily and for a long time.

gazpacho

noun

A chilled Spanish soup made from raw vegetables such as tomato, cucumber, and pepper, blended with oil and vinegar.

ge

noun

The name of the Cyrillic letter Г, г, used in Russian and other Slavic languages.

gear

noun

Equipment or clothing needed for a particular activity.

gearbox

noun

The enclosed unit in a vehicle that houses the gears and connects to the gear lever.

geared

adj

Fitted with, or connected through, a system of gears.

gearing

noun

The set of gears in a machine, or the ratio between them.

Geary

name

A surname with several separate origins across Irish, English, and German family lines.

gecko

noun

A small lizard, often nocturnal, known for its large eyes and its ability to climb smooth vertical surfaces.

ged

noun

A dialect word for the pike, a freshwater fish.

Geddes

name

A Scottish surname, also used as a place name in Scotland and North America.

gee

intj

An exclamation of surprise, frustration, or mild emphasis.

geek

noun

A person deeply and enthusiastically interested in a particular subject, often technology, science fiction, or games.

geeky

adj

Having the interests or manner typical of a geek.

geet

adj

Informal slang for "great."

Geeta

name

A female given name of South Asian origin, a variant of Gita.

geez

intj

An exclamation of surprise, frustration, or exasperation.

geezer

noun

An old man, especially one seen as eccentric or cranky.

Gehrig

name

A German-derived surname, notably borne by baseball player Lou Gehrig.

Geiger

name

A German surname, familiar to English speakers mainly through the Geiger counter, the radiation-detecting device named after physicist Hans Geiger.

geisha

noun

A Japanese woman trained as a professional entertainer, skilled in traditional arts such as music, dance, and conversation.

gel

noun

A soft, semi-solid substance somewhere between a liquid and a solid, such as hair gel or a jelly-like material.

gelatin

noun

A flavorless protein made by boiling down animal collagen, used to thicken or set foods.

gelato

noun

An Italian-style frozen dessert similar to ice cream but denser and typically lower in fat.

gelding

noun

A castrated male horse.

Gellar

name

A surname of German or Yiddish origin.

Geller

name

A surname of German or Yiddish origin.

gem

noun

A precious or semi-precious stone, especially one cut and polished for jewelry.

Gemini

name

A constellation and zodiac sign representing twins, associated with the period from late May to late June.

gemma

noun

A small bud-like structure some plants and simple animals use to reproduce asexually.

gemstone

noun

A mineral or stone that has been cut and polished for use in jewelry.

Gen

noun

Informal British slang for information or facts.

gena

noun

In zoology, the cheek area of an animal's head, or the corresponding part of an insect's head near the jaw.

gendarme

noun

A member of a military force assigned to police duties, especially in France.

gendarmerie

noun

A military force responsible for policing the civilian population, especially in France and similar countries.

gender

noun

The state of being male, female, or another identity, often understood as bound up with social roles and personal identity, distinct from biological sex.

Genders

name

A surname derived from an old French word for "son-in-law."

gene

noun

A segment of DNA that carries the instructions for a particular inherited trait.

genealogy

noun

A person's or family's line of descent traced back through their ancestors.

general

adj

Applying to or covering a whole group rather than one specific part; overall.

generalissimo

noun

The supreme commander of a country's armed forces, especially one who also runs the government.

generally

adv

Usually or in most cases; as a rule.

generate

verb

To produce or create something, especially as an effect or output.

generation

noun

All the people born and living at around the same time, seen as a group.

generator

noun

A machine that converts mechanical energy or fuel into electricity.

generic

adj

Applying broadly to a whole class or category rather than one specific item; not brand-specific.

generosity

noun

Willingness to give freely, whether money, time, or help, without expecting anything back.

generous

adj

Willing to give more than is expected or required, especially money, time, or help.

generously

adv

In a way that gives freely or more than expected.

genesis

noun

The origin or beginning of something.

genetic

adj

Relating to genes or heredity.

genetically

adv

In a way that relates to genes or heredity.

geneticist

noun

A scientist who studies genes and heredity.

genetics

noun

The branch of biology concerned with genes, heredity, and variation between organisms.

Geneva

name

The city in Switzerland that serves as the capital of Geneva canton and hosts many international organisations.

Genevieve

name

A female first name from French, borne by the patron saint of Paris.

Genghis

name

Used to refer to Genghis Khan, the 13th-century founder and first ruler of the Mongol Empire.

genial

adj

Friendly, warm, and pleasant in manner.

genie

noun

A supernatural spirit in Arabic and Islamic folklore, often invisible, capable of taking human or animal form.

genii

noun

Plural of genius, referring to guardian spirits in Roman belief.

genital

adj

Relating to the sex organs or to reproduction.

genitalia

noun

The external and internal sex organs, considered together.

genitals

noun

The external sex organs; another word for genitalia.

genius

noun

A person with exceptional intelligence, talent, or creative ability.

Gennaro

name

An Italian surname.

genny

noun

(informal, chiefly British/Irish) Short for generator, a machine that produces electricity.

geno

noun

(informal, video games) Short for genocide, especially referring to eliminating every enemy or monster in a game.