English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

gimme

contraction

A casual, run-together way of saying "give me".

gimmick

noun

A clever trick, feature, or gadget used mainly to attract attention rather than add real value.

gimp

noun

A narrow decorative braid or trim, often stiffened with wire or cord, used to edge curtains, furniture, or clothing.

gimpy

adj

Walking with a limp, or (of a limb) weak or unsteady.

gin

noun

A clear spirit flavoured mainly with juniper berries, used both on its own and in cocktails.

gina

noun

A crude slang shortening of "vagina".

ginger

noun

A knobbly, spicy-tasting root used fresh, dried, or ground as a cooking spice.

gingerbread

noun

A firm, spiced cake or biscuit flavoured with ginger, often cut into festive shapes.

Ginnie

name

A feminine given name, a pet form of Virginia or Genevieve.

Ginny

name

A familiar short form of the names Virginia or Ginevra.

gino

noun

Slang, often mildly mocking, for a man of Italian or Mediterranean background seen as flashy or image-obsessed.

ginormous

adj

Extremely, almost comically large.

Ginsberg

name

A Jewish surname of German origin, notably borne by poet Allen Ginsberg.

ginseng

noun

A plant with a forked, root that is dried and used in traditional medicine and supplements, believed to boost energy.

Ginza

name

An upscale shopping and entertainment district in Tokyo, Japan.

Gio

name

A masculine given name, a short form of Giovanni or Giorgio.

Giordano

name

An Italian surname and given name, derived from the name Jordan.

Giorno

name

An Italian surname meaning "day," also known as a character name in the manga and anime series "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure."

Giovanni

name

A masculine Italian given name, the Italian equivalent of John, meaning "God is gracious."

giraffe

noun

A tall African mammal with an extremely long neck and legs and a patchy, spotted coat, the tallest living land animal.

Girard

name

A French surname and given name derived from a Germanic name meaning "brave with a spear."

Girardi

name

An Italian surname derived from Girardo, notably borne by baseball manager Joe Girardi.

girdle

noun

A belt or band worn around the waist, especially one that supports stockings.

Giri

name

A South Asian surname, common in Nepal and India, sometimes referring to a Hindu monastic title.

girl

noun

A female child.

girlfriend

noun

A woman in an ongoing, unmarried romantic relationship with someone.

girlie

noun

A magazine featuring nude or scantily dressed women, aimed at men.

girlish

adj

Resembling or typical of a young girl.

girls

noun

Slang for a woman's breasts.

girly

adj

Stereotypically feminine or delicate; not masculine.

giro

noun

A bank transfer of funds between account holders, made on the payer's instruction.

girth

noun

The measurement around something; its circumference.

Gisborne

name

A city on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, known for being among the first places in the world to see the sunrise.

Giselle

name

A feminine given name of Germanic origin meaning "pledge" or "hostage," also the title of a famous Romantic ballet.

gist

noun

The main point or essential meaning of something longer or more complicated.

git

noun

(British, informal) A stupid, annoying, or contemptible person.

gitano

noun

A Spanish Roma man.

Gitmo

noun

An informal name for the U.S. naval base and detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Giuliani

name

An Italian surname, notably borne by former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

give

verb

To hand over or transfer something to someone.

giveaway

noun

Something handed out for free, often as a promotion.

given

prep

Taking into account; considering.

Givens

name

An English surname derived from the given name Given or Givan.

giver

noun

A person who gives, especially one who is generous.

giving

adj

Generous; inclined to give.

Giza

name

A city in Egypt on the Nile, home to the famous pyramids and the Great Sphinx.

gizmo

noun

A small device or gadget, especially one whose name or purpose isn't known.

gizzard

noun

A muscular organ in birds and some other animals used to grind up food.

Gl

name

An abbreviation commonly standing for "good luck" in online chat and gaming, or used as an initialism in various technical contexts such as OpenGL.

glacial

adj

Relating to glaciers or ice ages.

glacier

noun

A large, slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow.

glad

adj

Pleased or happy about something.

glade

noun

An open, grassy clearing within a forest.

Glades

name

A place name element referring to open, low-lying grassy wetlands, most familiar from the Florida Everglades.

gladiator

noun

In ancient Rome, a fighter — often a slave or captive — who fought other men or animals for public entertainment.

gladly

adv

Willingly and with pleasure.

gladness

noun

The state of feeling glad; joy.

Gladstone

name

An English surname, notably borne by British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.

Gladys

name

A feminine given name of Welsh origin, an anglicized form of Gwladys, related to a word for "sovereign" or "princess."

glam

adj

(informal) Glamorous; stylish and attractive.

glamorous

adj

Attractive in a stylish, exciting, or luxurious way.

glamour

noun

Alluring beauty, charm, or style, often tied to wealth, fame, or fashion.

glance

verb

To take a quick, brief look at something.

glancing

adjective

Striking at an angle rather than head-on, so that only light or partial contact is made.

gland

noun

An organ or group of cells in the body that produces and releases a substance, such as a hormone, sweat, or saliva.

glandular

adjective

Relating to, or affecting, a gland or glands.

glare

noun

A harsh, dazzling light.

glaring

adjective

Extremely obvious, especially in a bad way; blatant.

Glaser

name

A German and Jewish surname, an occupational name for a glassmaker or glazier.

Glasgow

name

The largest city in Scotland, on the River Clyde.

glass

noun

A hard, usually transparent material made by melting sand with other minerals, used for windows, bottles, and similar items.

glasses

noun

A pair of lenses in a frame worn over the eyes to correct or protect vision.

glassware

noun

Objects made of glass, especially drinking glasses, bowls, and other tableware.

glassy

adjective

Smooth and shiny, like glass.

Glastonbury

name

A town in Somerset, England, known for its ancient abbey and its huge annual music festival.

glaucoma

noun

An eye disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to raised pressure inside the eye, which can cause gradual loss of vision if untreated.

glaze

noun

A thin, shiny coating applied to pottery, food, or another surface.

glazed

adjective

Covered with a thin, shiny coating.

glazing

noun

The glass fitted into a window or similar opening, or the process of fitting it.

gleam

noun

A brief or faint flash of light.

gleaming

adjective

Shining brightly, especially with a polished sheen.

glean

verb

To gather information or knowledge gradually, often bit by bit and with some effort.

Gleason

name

An Irish surname anglicized from Gaelic, notably borne by comedian and actor Jackie Gleason.

Gleb

name

A Russian and Belarusian masculine given name.

glee

noun

Great delight or high-spirited joy.

glen

noun

A narrow, secluded valley, especially in Scotland or Ireland.

Glenda

name

A feminine given name of Welsh origin.

Glendale

name

A place name used for several cities and towns in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere, including a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona and a city in the San Fernando Valley, California.

Glenn

name

A male given name, from the Scottish Gaelic surname Glen(n), meaning "of the valley."

glib

adjective

Speaking smoothly and fluently but in a way that seems shallow, insincere, or lacking real thought.

Glick

name

A Jewish and German surname.

glide

verb

To move smoothly and effortlessly, without visible effort or friction.

glider

noun

An aircraft designed to fly without an engine, using air currents to stay aloft.

gliding

noun

The sport or activity of flying in an engineless aircraft.

glimmer

noun

A faint, unsteady light.

glimpse

noun

A brief, incomplete view of something.

glint

noun

A brief flash of light, often reflected off something shiny.

glistening

adjective

Shining with a wet or smooth sparkle.

glitch

noun

A small, usually temporary problem or fault, especially in a machine, computer, or software.

glitter

noun

Tiny, shiny decorative particles, or a sparkling light.

glittering

adjective

Sparkling brightly.

glitz

noun

Flashy, showy glamour, often suggesting style without real substance.

gloat

verb

To show obvious, often smug pleasure at your own success or at someone else's failure.

gloating

noun

Smug, self-satisfied behaviour after a win or someone else's loss.

glob

noun

A round or shapeless lump of something soft or semi-liquid.

global

adj

Affecting or involving the whole world.

globalization

noun

The process by which businesses, cultures, and economies become increasingly connected and interdependent across the world.

globally

adv

Throughout the whole world.

globe

noun

The planet Earth.

Glock

noun

A brand of semi-automatic pistol widely used by police and in popular culture.

gloom

noun

Near-darkness or dim, murky light.

gloomy

adj

Dark and dim, especially in a way that feels depressing.

gloria

noun

A hymn of praise, especially one beginning "Glory to God," sung during a church service.

Gloriana

name

A poetic nickname for Queen Elizabeth I of England.

glorified

adj

Made to seem more impressive or important than it really is, often said sarcastically.

glorify

verb

To praise someone or something highly, or treat it as deserving great honour.

glorious

adj

Deserving great praise or admiration; magnificent.

gloriously

adv

In a splendid or magnificent way.

glory

noun

Great honour, fame, or admiration earned through achievement.

gloss

noun

A shiny, polished surface.

glossy

adj

Having a smooth, shiny surface.

Gloucester

name

A cathedral city in Gloucestershire, England, on the River Severn; also the name of towns in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and a British royal dukedom.

glove

noun

A piece of clothing that covers the hand, usually with separate coverings for each finger.

glover

noun

A person who makes or sells gloves.

glow

verb

To give off a steady light, often without a visible flame.

glowing

adj

Giving off light or warmth.

glub

noun

The gurgling sound of bubbles moving through water.

glucose

noun

A simple sugar that serves as a major source of energy for living cells.

glue

noun

A sticky substance used to join things together.

glug

noun

The gurgling sound liquid makes when poured quickly from a container.

gluing

noun

The act of joining something with glue.

glum

adj

Sad, sullen, or in low spirits.

gluten

noun

A protein found in wheat and other cereal grains, responsible for the stretchy texture of dough.

glutton

noun

Someone who eats far more than necessary or normal.

gluttony

noun

The habit or vice of eating and drinking to excess.

Glynn

name

A surname, and the name of several small places in Ireland, the United States, and the Caribbean.

GM

verb

To run a tabletop role-playing game as the person who referees the rules and narrates the world for the other players.

GMO

adj

Describing a plant, animal, or other organism whose DNA has been deliberately altered using genetic engineering.

gnarly

adj

Twisted, knotted, or rough in texture, especially of wood.

gnat

noun

A small, flying insect, often found in swarms near water.

gnaw

verb

To bite or chew persistently on something tough.

gnawed

adj

Having an irregular, worn edge, as if bitten away.

gnawing

adj

Severe, nagging, or hard to ignore — used of pain, doubt, or worry.

gnocchi

noun

Small, soft dumplings made from potato or semolina, typically served with a sauce.

gnome

noun

A small, legendary earth-dwelling being, often shown as an old bearded man, said to guard underground treasure or mines.

go

verb

To move or travel from one place toward another.

Goa

noun

A style of fast, trance-like electronic dance music built on droning basslines and shifting, hypnotic beats, first popularized at beach parties in Goa, India, in the late 1980s.

goad

noun

A long pointed stick used to prod animals into moving.

goal

noun

Something a person is aiming or working to achieve.

goalie

noun

Informal word for a goalkeeper.