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English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

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ha
intj
Used to represent laughter, often written doubled or tripled.
haa
intj
A sigh.
Haas
name
A surname of Dutch, German, or Jewish origin, from a word meaning "hare."
hab
noun
Informal shorthand for a habitation module or living structure, especially in space travel or off-grid settings.
habeas
noun
Short for "habeas corpus," a legal order requiring a detained person to be brought before a court.
Haber
name
A surname of German or Jewish origin, notably borne by the chemist Fritz Haber, co-inventor of the Haber process.
Habib
noun
An affectionate term for a close friend, roughly "mate" or "buddy."
habit
noun
Something you do regularly, often without thinking about it.
habitable
adjective
Suitable to live in; safe and workable as a home or environment.
habitat
noun
The natural environment where a plant or animal normally lives.
habitation
noun
A place where someone lives; a dwelling.
habitual
adjective
Done so often it has become a fixed pattern of behavior.
hacienda
noun
A large estate or ranch house, especially in Spanish-speaking countries or regions shaped by Spanish colonial architecture.
hack
verb
To cut or chop something roughly, without precision.
hacker
noun
Someone who breaks into computer systems or networks without authorization, often for malicious purposes.
Hackett
name
An English surname, and the name of small towns in Arkansas and Wisconsin.
hacking
noun
Unauthorized access to a computer system or network.
hackman
noun
A driver of a hackney carriage, cab, or taxi.
Hackney
noun
A carriage, cab, or vehicle available for public hire.
hacks
intj
Used to call attention to another player hacking
hacksaw
noun
A hand saw with a thin, tensioned blade, used mainly for cutting metal.
hacky
adjective
Crudely or amateurishly done, especially describing a rough workaround rather than a proper fix.
haddie
noun
An informal, chiefly Scottish word for haddock, the North Atlantic food fish.
haddock
noun
A saltwater fish from the North Atlantic that is widely eaten as food, related to cod.
Hades
proper noun
In Greek mythology, the god of the underworld and ruler of the dead.
Hadley
name
An English surname and unisex given name, also the name of several towns in England and the United States.
Hadrian
proper noun
A Roman emperor known for consolidating the empire's borders, including the wall in northern Britain that bears his name.
hadron
noun
A subatomic particle made of two or more quarks bound together by the strong nuclear force, such as a proton or neutron.
haemorrhage
noun
British spelling of hemorrhage: heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, especially internal bleeding.
haemorrhaging
noun
The act of bleeding heavily, or figuratively, losing something at an alarming rate.
hafiz
noun
A Muslim who has memorized the entire Qur'an.
hag
noun
An ugly or frightening old woman, especially one associated with witchcraft in folklore.
Hagan
name
A surname of Irish origin.
Hagar
name
A feminine given name of Hebrew origin, borne in the Bible by the Egyptian servant of Abraham and mother of Ishmael.
Hagen
name
A city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and a hero of Germanic legend.
haggard
adjective
Looking tired, worn out, or unwell, often from stress, illness, or lack of sleep.
Haggerty
name
A surname of Irish origin.
haggis
noun
A traditional Scottish dish of minced sheep offal mixed with oatmeal and spices, typically cooked in a casing and served with mashed potatoes and swede.
haggle
verb
To negotiate persistently over a price or deal.
haggling
noun
The act of negotiating persistently over a price.
Hague
name
A surname, and short for The Hague, the seat of government of the Netherlands.
hah
interjection
An exclamation expressing mild surprise, realization, or amusement.
haha
interjection
A written representation of laughter.
hahaha
interjection
An extended written representation of laughter.
Hahn
name
A surname of German or Korean origin.
hai
interjection
An informal greeting; a playful or stylized spelling of "hi."
Haider
name
A surname and male given name of Arabic or Persian origin.
Haifa
name
A major port city on the Mediterranean coast in northern Israel, built along the slopes of Mount Carmel.
Haig
name
A Scottish surname of Old Norse origin, notably borne by the British general Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig.
haiku
noun
A short Japanese poem written in three lines, traditionally with five, seven, and five syllable-like units, often evoking a season or a scene from nature.
hail
noun
Small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky during a storm.
Hailey
name
A feminine given name, a common spelling variant of Hayley.
hailing
noun
The act of calling out to someone or something to get their attention, such as flagging down a vehicle.
Haines
name
An English surname, and the name of several small towns in the United States and Australia.
hair
noun
A thin strand that grows from the skin of humans and many animals.
hairball
noun
A clump of swallowed fur that forms in the stomach of a cat or other grooming animal.
hairbrush
noun
A brush designed for smoothing and styling hair.
haircut
noun
The act of trimming or styling someone's hair, or the resulting style.
hairdo
noun
A particular way someone's hair is styled.
hairdresser
noun
Someone whose job is cutting and styling hair.
hairdressing
noun
The trade or skill of cutting, coloring, and styling hair.
hairdryer
noun
A handheld electric device that blows hot air to dry hair.
haired
adj
Having hair, especially of a specified type (used in combinations like "curly-haired" or "grey-haired").
hairless
adj
Without hair; bald or naturally lacking fur.
hairline
noun
The edge along the forehead or scalp where hair begins to grow.
hairpiece
noun
A wig or piece of artificial hair worn to cover thinning or missing hair.
hairpin
noun
A thin U-shaped pin used to hold hair in place.
hairstyle
noun
The way a person's hair is cut, arranged, or shaped.
hairy
adj
Covered with a lot of hair or fur.
Haiti
name
A country occupying the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean.
Haitian
noun
A person from Haiti, or someone of Haitian descent.
Haji
noun
An honorific title for a Muslim who has completed the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
hajj
noun
The pilgrimage to Mecca that observant Muslims are expected to make at least once, one of the five pillars of Islam.
hajji
noun
A title of respect for a Muslim who has completed the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
Hak
name
A surname of varied origin, found among Dutch, Czech, Cambodian, and Chinese families.
Hakeem
name
A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "wise" or "judicious."
hakim
noun
A physician, especially one practicing traditional or herbal medicine in South Asia or the Middle East.
hal
noun
An artificial intelligence in fiction that turns against humans, echoing the AI from the film "2001: A Space Odyssey."
halal
adj
Permitted or lawful under Islamic religious rules, especially describing food prepared according to those rules.
haldol
noun
A brand name for haloperidol, an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and severe agitation.
hale
adj
Healthy and strong, especially for someone's age.
Halen
name
A town and municipality in Limburg province, Belgium.
Hales
name
An English surname, and the name of villages in Norfolk and Staffordshire, England.
Haley
name
A feminine or unisex given name, a variant spelling of Hayley.
half
adj
Equal to one of two equal parts of something.
Halford
name
An English surname, and the name of villages in Shropshire and Warwickshire, England.
halfway
adverb
At the midpoint between two places, times, or amounts.
halfwit
noun
A foolish or stupid person (informal and rather insulting).
halibut
noun
A large flatfish prized as food, found in cold northern waters.
Halifax
name
A town in West Yorkshire, England.
halitosis
noun
Chronic bad breath.
hall
noun
A passage or corridor inside a building.
Hallam
name
An English surname, also the name of a suburb of Melbourne and towns in Nebraska and Pennsylvania.
Halle
name
A city in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, on the river Saale.
hallelujah
interjection
An exclamation of praise, joy, or relief.
Haller
name
A surname of English, German, or Austrian origin.
Halley
name
A surname of Irish origin, most famous as the name of astronomer Edmond Halley, for whom Halley's Comet is named.
Halliday
name
An English surname, and a small city in North Dakota.
Hallie
name
A feminine given name, a shortened form of Harriet.
Halliwell
name
An English surname, and a suburb of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.
hallmark
noun
A distinctive feature or trait that marks something as genuine or characteristic.
hallo
interjection
A greeting or shout used to attract attention (an older or British variant of "hello").
Halloran
name
A surname of Irish origin.
hallow
verb
To treat as sacred; to make or declare holy.
hallowed
adjective
Regarded as holy or deeply respected.
Halloween
noun
October 31st, a holiday marked by costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating.
halls
noun
Student housing at a university, especially in the UK ("halls of residence").
hallucinate
verb
To perceive things that are not actually present, as a result of mental state, drugs, or illness.
hallucination
noun
A false perception of something that isn't really there, often caused by illness, drugs, or extreme stress.
hallucinogenic
adjective
Causing hallucinations.
hallway
noun
A corridor connecting rooms inside a building.
halo
noun
A circle of light shown around the head of a holy figure in art.
Halsey
name
A surname of Old English origin.
Halstead
name
An English surname, and the name of towns in Essex and Kent, England, and Kansas, United States.
halt
verb
To stop moving or operating, or to cause something to stop.
halter
noun
A rope or strap fitted around an animal's head, used to lead or restrain it.
halved
adjective
Cut or divided into two equal parts.
ham
noun
Meat from the thigh of a pig, cured or cooked for eating.
Hama
name
A city on the Orontes River in western Syria, known for its ancient wooden waterwheels.
hamada
noun
A flat, rocky desert plateau where wind has stripped away sand and loose soil, leaving bare rock or gravel.
Haman
name
A biblical figure, the Persian vizier in the Book of Esther who plotted to destroy the Jews of ancient Persia.
Hamas
name
A Palestinian Islamist political and militant organization that controls the Gaza Strip.
Hamburg
name
The second-largest city in Germany and one of its constituent states, a major port on the Elbe River.
hamburger
noun
A sandwich made of a cooked ground-meat patty served in a round bun, often with toppings.
Hamid
name
A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "praiseworthy."
Hamill
name
A surname of Irish origin, notably borne by actor Mark Hamill.
Hamilton
noun
A common surname of Scottish origin, also used as a male given name; also the name of several cities and towns around the world, most famously in New Zealand, Ontario (Canada), and Bermuda.
Hamish
noun
A Scottish male given name, an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Seumas.
hamlet
noun
A very small settlement, smaller than a village, often just a cluster of houses without its own church or local government.
Hamm
noun
A surname, originally describing someone who lived on flat land near a river, or referring to the German city of Hamm in North Rhine-Westphalia.
hammer
noun
A hand tool with a heavy head, used for driving nails, breaking things apart, or shaping metal.
hammered
adjective
Shaped or marked by repeated blows of a hammer, giving a dented, textured surface.
hammerhead
noun
A shark with a flattened, hammer-shaped head and eyes set at the outer edges.
hammering
noun
The act or sound of striking something repeatedly with a hammer.
Hammers
noun
Plural of hammer.
Hammersley
noun
An English surname, originally taken from a place name meaning a woodland clearing.
hammersmith
noun
A district in west London, part of the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
Hammett
noun
A surname, notably borne by American crime writer Dashiell Hammett.
hammock
noun
A hanging bed made of fabric or netting, suspended between two points and used for lying down or sleeping.
Hammond
noun
An English surname, also used as a given name and as the name of several towns, most notably Hammond, Indiana.
hammy
adjective
Overly theatrical or exaggerated in performance; hammy acting.
hamper
noun
A large basket with a lid, used to carry or store items such as laundry or food.
Hampshire
noun
A county in southern England.
Hampstead
noun
An affluent, leafy area of north London, historically associated with writers and artists.
Hampton
noun
A surname and place name found in England, Canada, Australia, and the United States, generally derived from Old English words meaning "farm by a river bend" or "home town."
Hamptons
noun
(usually "the Hamptons") A cluster of affluent towns and villages on the eastern end of Long Island, New York, popular as a summer retreat for wealthy New Yorkers.
hamster
noun
A small, short-tailed rodent with cheek pouches, often kept as a pet.
hamstring
noun
Any of the large tendons or muscles at the back of the thigh, behind the knee.
hamza
noun
A symbol in the Arabic writing system that represents a glottal stop, written as a standalone letter or above/below other letters.
han
noun
A deep, culturally specific feeling of sorrow, resentment, and unresolved grief in Korean identity.
Hana
noun
A small town on the island of Maui, Hawaii, known for its remote coastal setting.
Hanako
noun
A Japanese female given name.
hand
noun
The part of the body at the end of the arm, used for grasping and manipulating objects.
Handa
noun
A city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
handbag
noun
A small bag, usually carried by women, used to hold personal items such as a wallet, keys, and makeup.
handbags
interjection
(British, informal, humorous) Said when a heated argument or petty squabble is more show than substance; roughly "calm down."
handball
noun
A team sport in which players throw and bounce a ball, trying to score by throwing it into the opposing goal.
handbook
noun
A concise reference book covering a particular subject, meant to be kept close at hand.
handbrake
noun
A hand-operated brake in a vehicle, used mainly to keep it stationary when parked.
handcrafted
adjective
Made carefully by hand rather than by machine or mass production.
handcuff
noun
One of a pair of metal rings, usually joined by a chain, used to restrain a person's wrists.
handcuffs
noun
A pair of metal restraints joined together, locked around a person's wrists.
handed
adjective
Having a specified number or kind of hands, especially used in compounds like left-handed or right-handed.
Handel
noun
A German surname, most famously borne by composer George Frideric Handel.
handful
noun
The amount that fits in one hand, or a small number of something.
handgun
noun
A firearm small enough to be held and fired with one hand, such as a pistol or revolver.
handicap
noun
A physical or mental condition that limits a person's abilities.
handicapped
adj
Having a physical or mental disability.
handing
noun
The act of passing something to someone with the hand.
handiwork
noun
Something made or done by a particular person, especially with their hands.
handkerchief
noun
A small square of cloth carried for wiping the nose, face, or hands.
handle
noun
The part of an object that is designed to be gripped by hand.
handled
adj
Fitted with a handle or handles.
handler
noun
A person who trains, controls, or works closely with an animal or person in their care.
handling
noun
The way something is managed, dealt with, or physically handled.
handmade
adj
Made by hand rather than by machine.
handout
noun
A printed sheet of information given out, especially in a class or meeting.
handover
noun
The transfer of control, power, or responsibility from one person or group to another.
handpicked
adj
Chosen carefully and deliberately, often by a specific person.
handprint
noun
A mark left on a surface by pressing a hand against it.
Hands
name
An English surname.
handset
noun
The part of a telephone that you hold to talk and listen.
handshake
noun
The act of grasping and shaking someone's hand as a greeting or to seal an agreement.
handsome
adj
Good-looking, especially describing a man's attractive face or build.
handsomely
adv
Generously; in a way that gives more than expected.
handstand
noun
A move in which a person balances upside down on their hands.
handsy
adj
Inclined to touch other people inappropriately or without invitation.
handwriting
noun
Writing done by hand rather than typed or printed.
handwritten
adj
Written by hand rather than typed or printed.
handy
adj
Convenient and useful; easy to use.
handyman
noun
A person who does small repairs and odd jobs, especially around the house.
hang
verb
To attach something at the top so it hangs down freely, or to be suspended in this way.
hangar
noun
A large building used to store or repair aircraft.
hanged
verb
Past tense of "hang" used specifically for execution by the neck.
hanger
noun
A shaped piece of wood, plastic, or wire used to hang clothes on.
hanging
adj
Suspended or dangling from something.
hangman
noun
A person whose job is to execute people by hanging.
hangout
noun
A place where people like to spend time casually and informally.
hangover
noun
The headache, nausea, and other unpleasant effects felt after drinking too much alcohol.
Hangzhou
name
A city in eastern China, the capital of Zhejiang province and a former imperial capital.
Hani
noun
A member of an ethnic group living mainly in Yunnan, China, and parts of Vietnam and Laos.
Hank
noun
A coiled loop or bundle of yarn, twine, or rope.
hankering
noun
A strong craving or longing for something.
Hanks
name
A surname, originally formed as a patronymic meaning "son of Hank."
Hanley
name
A town in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, and one of the historic "Potteries" towns.
Hanlon
name
A surname of Irish origin.
Hanna
name
A feminine given name, a variant spelling of Hannah.
Hannah
noun
A common female given name of Hebrew origin, also the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament.
Hannibal
noun
A male given name, historically famous as the name of the Carthaginian general who led an army over the Alps to invade Rome.
Hannigan
name
A surname of Irish origin.
Hanoi
noun
The capital city of Vietnam.
Hanover
noun
A city in Lower Saxony, Germany, and the former royal house that ruled Britain from 1714 to 1901.
Hans
noun
A male given name of German origin, a short form of Johannes.
Hansel
name
An anglicized form of the German given name Hänsel, and a character in the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel.
Hansen
name
A surname of Danish and Norwegian origin, and the name of small towns in Idaho and Wisconsin.
Hansson
name
A surname of Swedish origin.
Hanukkah
noun
The eight-day Jewish festival of lights, celebrated in November or December, marking the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees' victory.
Hanuman
noun
In Hindu mythology, a monkey-god known for his devotion and loyalty to the god Rama.
Hanyang
name
A district of Wuhan, China, and a historical name for Seoul, South Korea.
hao
noun
A former Vietnamese unit of currency equal to one-tenth of a dong.
hap
noun
(archaic) Luck or fortune, good or bad; chance.
haphazard
adj
Done without any clear plan or order; disorganized and random.
hapless
adj
Unlucky, especially in a way that invites pity or mild amusement.
Happ
name
A surname of German origin.
happen
verb
To take place; to occur.
happening
noun
An event or occurrence, especially something unusual or notable.
happily
adv
In a happy, contented, or cheerful way.
happiness
noun
The state of feeling joyful, content, or satisfied with life.
happy
adj
Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.
har
noun
(archaic, dialectal) A hinge.
Hara
name
An epithet of the Hindu god Shiva, and a Japanese surname.
Harada
name
A Japanese surname.
haram
adj
Forbidden under Islamic law.
harass
verb
To repeatedly trouble, pester, or intimidate someone, especially in a way that is unwanted or illegal.
harassed
adj
Worn out or stressed by repeated pressure, demands, or attacks.
harassing
adj
Involving repeated, unwanted pestering, intimidation, or attacks.
harassment
noun
Repeated unwanted behavior intended to disturb, intimidate, or upset someone.
Harbin
noun
The capital city of Heilongjiang province in northeastern China, known for its ice and snow festival.
harbinger
noun
A person or sign that shows something is about to happen, especially something important.
harbor
noun
A sheltered area of water where ships can dock or anchor safely.
harbour
noun
British spelling of harbor: a sheltered area of water where ships can dock.
Harcourt
name
An English surname, and the name of several places in France, England, Canada, and Australia.
hard
adj
Solid and firm; not easily broken, cut, or dented.
hardball
noun
Baseball, as distinguished from softball — or, more commonly, tough, uncompromising tactics.
Hardcastle
name
An English surname.
hardcore
adj
Deeply committed or dedicated to something, often to an extreme degree.
harden
verb
To become hard, or to make something hard or harder.
hardened
adj
Made physically hard or tough, often through a deliberate process.
hardening
noun
The process of becoming, or making something, harder or tougher.
Harder
name
A surname, often of German or Dutch origin.
hardheaded
adj
Stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind.
Hardin
name
A surname and male given name, also the name of towns in several U.S. states, including the county seat of Big Horn County, Montana.
Harding
name
An English and Irish surname, notably borne by U.S. President Warren G. Harding, and the name of several places in the United States.
Hardison
name
A surname, likely a variant of Hardison or Harrison.
hardly
adv
Barely; only just; almost not at all.
hardman
noun
A tough, physically imposing man, especially one known for using or threatening violence.
hardness
noun
The quality of being physically hard or resistant to scratching, cutting, or denting.
hardship
noun
A period of severe difficulty, suffering, or lack; hard times.
hardsub
noun
A subtitle that is permanently burned into a video's picture, so it can't be turned off.
Hardwick
name
An English surname, and a common place name for villages and suburbs throughout England and the United States.
Hardwicke
name
An English surname, and the name of villages in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, England.
hardwired
adj
Built into a device's physical circuitry, so its function can't be changed by software.
hardwood
noun
Wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak or maple, often prized for furniture and flooring.
hardworking
adj
Putting in a lot of effort and diligence at one's job or tasks.
hardy
adj
Able to endure difficult conditions, fatigue, or hardship; tough and resilient.
hare
noun
A fast-running, long-eared mammal related to the rabbit but generally larger, with longer legs.
harebrained
adj
Foolish, reckless, or poorly thought out.
harem
noun
Historically, the private living quarters reserved for the women of a household, especially in a Muslim family, off-limits to men outside the family.
Hargreaves
name
An English surname.
Hargrove
name
An English surname derived from a place name.
Hari
name
An epithet of the Hindu god Vishnu, and a male given name and surname from Sanskrit used in India.
harish
adj
Resembling a hare in appearance or behaviour.
Harishchandra
name
A legendary Indian king celebrated in Hindu tradition for his unwavering commitment to truth.
hark
verb
To listen attentively, typically used in the old-fashioned command "hark!"
Harken
name
A surname of German origin.
Harker
name
An English surname, notably borne by Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker's novel Dracula.
Harkness
name
A surname, and a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
Harlan
name
A surname and male given name, and the name of the county seat of Harlan County, Kentucky.
Harland
name
An English surname.
Harlee
name
A male given name, a fanciful spelling variant of Harley.
harlequin
noun
A comic pantomime character traditionally dressed in a diamond-patterned, multicoloured costume.
Harley
noun
Informal shorthand for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
harlot
noun
An old-fashioned, disapproving term for a prostitute or a woman considered sexually promiscuous.
Harlow
name
A town in Essex, England, and a surname and unisex given name derived from it.
harm
noun
Physical injury or damage.
Harman
noun
Old-fashioned British slang for a police officer.
harmful
adj
Likely to cause harm, injury, or damage.
harmless
adj
Not capable of causing injury or harm; safe.
Harmon
name
An English or Irish surname, and the name of several small U.S. communities.
harmonic
adj
Relating to harmony; pleasant and well-balanced in sound.
harmonica
noun
A small handheld wind instrument played by blowing and drawing air across a row of metal reeds.
harmonious
adj
Free of conflict; showing agreement and cooperation.
harmonium
noun
A keyboard instrument that produces sound by pushing air through small reeds, worked with foot pedals or a hand pump.
harmonize
verb
To make things agree or fit together smoothly.
harmony
noun
A state of peaceful agreement, cooperation, or balance.
Harms
name
A surname, often of German or Dutch origin.
harness
noun
A set of straps used to control or support an animal, person, or piece of equipment.
harnessing
noun
The straps and equipment used to fit a harness onto an animal.
Harold
noun
In improvised comedy theatre, a long-form structure in which several scenes, characters, and themes are set up early and then woven back together throughout the show.
harp
noun
A large stringed musical instrument played by plucking strings stretched across an open frame.