English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

homeopathic

adj

Relating to homeopathy, an alternative medicine system using heavily diluted substances.

homeopathy

noun

A system of treating illness with tiny amounts of substances that, in larger doses, would cause the same symptoms.

homeostasis

noun

The process by which a living body keeps its internal conditions, such as temperature, water level and blood chemistry, steady despite changes outside it.

homeowner

noun

A person who owns the house or property they live in.

homer

noun

A home run in baseball.

homeroom

noun

A classroom where a fixed group of students meets each day for registration or announcements, separate from regular lessons.

homeschooler

noun

A parent, usually, who teaches their child at home instead of sending them to school.

homesick

adj

Sad and longing for home while away from it.

homesickness

noun

A strong, sad longing for home and the people there, felt when you are away from them.

homesitter

noun

Someone paid to stay in and look after a house while its owners are away.

homeskillet

noun

(informal, US) A close friend.

homespun

adj

Made by spinning thread at home.

homestead

noun

A house along with its land and outbuildings, especially a farm.

homesteading

noun

(law) Claiming ownership of land or resources that nobody yet owns, by being the first to use them.

hometown

noun

The town or city where a person was born or grew up.

homeward

adv

In the direction of home.

homework

noun

Schoolwork assigned to be done outside of class.

homeworld

noun

The planet or world where a person, species, or civilisation originated.

homey

adj

Cosy and comfortable, like home.

homicidal

adj

Having a dangerous urge or intent to kill someone.

homicide

noun

The killing of one person by another, whether it was planned or accidental.

homicider

noun

A person who kills someone else.

homie

noun

A close friend, especially one from the same neighborhood.

homily

noun

A sermon, especially one about a practical topic.

homing

adj

Able to automatically adjust course toward a target.

homo

noun

Whole or full-fat milk that has been processed so the fat is evenly distributed.

homocaust

noun

The organised persecution of gay people, especially the events in Nazi Germany, viewed as an attempt to destroy them as a group.

homochronous

adj

(technical) Describes two signals whose matching points are shifted from each other by a fixed amount of time.

homodox

adj

Sharing the same view or belief as someone else.

homodoxy

noun

The state of agreeing with an accepted view or belief.

homogeneity

noun

The state of being made up of parts that are all the same or very alike.

homogeneous

adjective

Made up of parts that are all the same or very similar in kind.

homogenise

verb

To mix something thoroughly so that it becomes smooth and even throughout.

homogenitality

noun

Sexual activity between people with matching genitals; sometimes used, offensively, only for sex between men.

homogenize

verb

To make something the same or uniform throughout.

homograph

noun

A word written the same way as another word but usually coming from a different origin.

homolog

noun

Something that corresponds closely to another thing, such as a matching body part, compound, chromosome, gene, or cultural feature.

homologous

adj

Matching or similar to something else in some way.

homonym

noun

A word that is spelled or pronounced the same as another word, though not necessarily both.

homophile

adj

(technical) Reacting only with antigens of the same type.

homophobe

noun

Someone who is prejudiced against gay people or the LGBTQ community.

homophobia

noun

Prejudice, fear, or hostility directed at gay people or the LGBTQ community.

homophobic

adj

Showing prejudice or hostility toward gay people.

homophone

noun

A word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning, and often a different spelling.

homosexual

adj

Attracted romantically or sexually to people of the same sex.

homosexualism

noun

(dated) Homosexuality; being attracted to people of one's own gender.

homosexuality

noun

Romantic or sexual attraction to people of one's own sex.

homozygous

adjective

Having two identical versions of a particular gene, one inherited from each parent.

homunculine

adj

Relating to, or typical of, a homunculus.

homunculus

noun

A small, human-like figure, especially one imagined as artificially created.

hon

noun

An affectionate way of addressing someone; short for "honey".

honcho

noun

The person in charge; the boss.

honda

noun

The loop at the end of a lasso that the rope's other end slides through to form the noose.

Hondo

name

A city in Medina County, Texas, and the name of communities in Alberta, Canada and New Mexico, United States.

Honduras

name

A country in Central America, capital Tegucigalpa.

hone

verb

To sharpen, especially a blade, using a fine stone.

honed

adj

Made sharp or refined through careful practice.

honest

adj

Telling the truth and not inclined to lie, cheat, or steal.

honestly

adv

In a truthful, sincere manner.

honesty

noun

The quality of being truthful and sincere.

honey

noun

A sweet, thick golden liquid made by bees from flower nectar.

honeybunch

noun

(informal) An affectionate name for someone you love.

honeybunny

noun

(informal) A loving nickname for someone dear to you.

honeycakes

noun

(informal) An affectionate name used for a young woman.

honeycomb

verb

To riddle something with small holes or tunnels, as bees do with a hive.

Honeycutt

name

A surname of English origin.

honeydew

noun

A variety of melon with smooth pale green flesh and a light-colored rind.

honeymoon

noun

A vacation taken by a couple right after their wedding.

honeymooner

noun

Someone who is away on their honeymoon.

honeypie

noun

(informal) A fond nickname for someone you love.

honeypot

noun

A container that holds honey.

honeysuckle

noun

A climbing shrub with fragrant, tube-shaped flowers.

hong

noun

A historical foreign trading company or firm in China.

Hongkong

name

An older spelling of Hong Kong, the city and special administrative region in southern China.

honing

noun

The process of sharpening or refining something.

honk

verb

To sound a car horn, or to make a similar loud, harsh noise.

honker

noun

Someone or something that honks.

honking

noun

The act or sound of repeated honks.

honky

noun

A slang, often derogatory, term for a white person, used especially in African-American vernacular.

honky-tonk

noun

A cheap, noisy bar or dance hall, especially in the southern and western United States, where country music is played live.

Honnold

name

A surname of German origin.

Honolulu

name

The capital and largest city of Hawaii, located on the island of Oahu.

honor

noun

Great respect or high regard, often earned through integrity or achievement.

honora

name

A female first name of Latin, mainly used in Ireland origin.

honorable

adj

Acting with integrity and deserving respect.

honorary

adj

Given as a mark of respect, without the usual requirements or payment attached.

Honore

name

A surname of French origin, also a former name of the Indian town of Honnavar.

honored

adj

The American spelling of 'honoured'.

Honoria

name

A feminine given name of Latin origin, the feminine form of Honorius.

honorific

noun

A title used before someone's name, such as 'Mrs' or 'Doctor'.

honors

adj

Studying or graded at an advanced, high-achieving academic level.

honour

noun

The British spelling of honor — high respect, or a sense of what is morally right.

honourable

adj

The British spelling of honorable — deserving respect for good, fair, or moral conduct.

honoured

adj

Shown great respect, or made to feel proud and grateful for special recognition.

hoo

pron

A dialect or archaic form of "she" or "he," used in some regional English speech as a gender-neutral third-person pronoun.

hoobae

noun

(Korea) Someone junior to you, such as a younger student.

hooch

noun

Alcohol, especially cheap, homemade, or illegally produced liquor.

hoochie

noun

A slang, often disparaging term for a woman seen as dressing or behaving in an overtly sexual way.

hood

noun

A loose covering for the head, often part of a jacket or coat.

hooded

adj

Wearing, fitted with, or shaped like a hood.

hoodie

noun

A sweatshirt with a built-in hood, often with a large front pocket.

hoodlum

noun

A violent or lawless young troublemaker; a small-time thug.

hoodoo

noun

A folk-magic tradition developed by enslaved and later free African Americans, blending African spiritual practices with other influences.

hoodwink

verb

To cover someone's eyes, as with a hood, so they cannot see.

hooey

noun

Nonsense; foolish or dishonest talk.

hoof

noun

The hard covering on the foot of animals such as horses, cattle, and deer.

hoofed

adj

Having hooves.

hoofer

noun

(informal) An experienced professional dancer.

hook

noun

A curved piece of metal or other material used to catch, hold, or hang something.

hook up

phrasal verb

To have a casual sexual encounter with someone, usually without being in a relationship with them.

hookah

noun

A water pipe with a long flexible tube, traditionally used for smoking flavoured tobacco.

Hooke

name

An English surname, notably borne by scientist Robert Hooke; also the name of a village in Dorset, England.

hooked

adj

Curved like a hook.

hooker

noun

Rugby: the player in the front row of the scrum who hooks the ball back with their foot.

hooking

noun

The act of catching, fastening, or connecting something with a hook.

Hooks

name

An English surname.

hookup

noun

A connection between devices, systems, or people.

hooky

noun

Unauthorized absence from school or work, as in "play hooky."

hool

noun

(informal) A shortened word for a hooligan, a young troublemaker who is often part of a gang.

hoolie

noun

A shortened form of hooligan, meaning a young person who behaves violently or causes trouble, usually as part of a gang or group.

hooligan

noun

A violent or destructive troublemaker, especially one acting as part of a rowdy group.

hooliganism

noun

Violent, destructive, or rowdy behaviour typical of hooligans.

hoon

noun

Australian/NZ slang for someone who drives fast, loudly, or recklessly.

hoop

noun

A circular band of metal, wood, plastic, or similar material.

hooper

noun

Someone who performs tricks with a hula hoop.

hoopla

noun

Excited fuss, commotion, or hype surrounding an event.

hoopoe

noun

A bird of the genus Upupa, found in the Old World and best known for its striking plumage, fan-shaped crest and slender bill.

hoops

noun

Informal name for the sport of basketball.

hooray

intj

An exclamation of joy, approval, or triumph.

hoot

noun

The low, mournful call of an owl.

Hooten

name

An English surname.

hootenanny

noun

A relaxed gathering where folk musicians play acoustic instruments, and the audience often joins in.

hooter

noun

British informal: a car horn, or a siren/whistle that signals the start or end of work.

hooters

noun

Crude slang for a woman's breasts.

hootie

interjection

Used only in the exclamation "hootie hoo," a shout of excitement or triumph.

hooting

noun

The act or sound of hooting, as an owl calling or a crowd jeering.

Hoover

noun

British informal: a vacuum cleaner, regardless of brand.

hoovered

adj

Cleaned using a vacuum cleaner.

hooverize

verb

To be careful not to waste something, especially food.

hop

noun

A short jump, especially on one leg or foot.

hope

verb

To want something to happen and believe it might.

hopeful

adj

Feeling or expressing hope; expecting a good outcome.

hopefully

adv

In a way that shows hope.

hopefulness

noun

The state of feeling hopeful.

hopeless

adj

Without hope; expecting nothing good to happen.

hopelessly

adv

In a way that shows no hope, or to a degree beyond repair.

hopelessness

noun

A complete lack of hope; despair.

Hopi

noun

A member of a Native American people of northeastern Arizona.

hoping

verb

Present participle of hope: wishing for or expecting something good.

hopped

verb

Past tense of hop: jumped on one leg, or moved with small bounding jumps.