English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

helper

noun

A person or thing that provides assistance.

helpful

adj

Giving useful help or assistance.

helping

noun

A portion of food served to one person.

helpless

adj

Unable to protect, help, or defend oneself; powerless.

helplessly

adv

In a way that shows an inability to help oneself or take action.

helplessness

noun

The state or feeling of being unable to help oneself or affect a situation.

Helps

name

An English surname, likely derived from a personal name or occupational term.

Helsinki

name

The capital and largest city of Finland.

hem

noun

The folded and stitched edge of a piece of clothing or fabric, meant to stop it from fraying.

Hemant

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "winter" or "the winter season."

hematoma

noun

A swollen, bruise-like lump caused by blood pooling outside a broken blood vessel.

Hemingway

name

Surname of Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), the American novelist known for a spare, direct writing style.

hemisphere

noun

One half of the Earth, typically divided north/south by the equator or east/west by a chosen meridian.

hemlock

noun

A highly poisonous flowering plant, or the deadly poison extracted from it.

hemoglobin

noun

The iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

hemorrhage

noun

Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, either inside the body or from a wound.

hemorrhagic

adjective

Relating to, or causing, heavy bleeding.

hemorrhaging

noun

The act of bleeding heavily; ongoing severe blood loss.

hemorrhoid

noun

A swollen, often painful blood vessel around the anus, commonly known as piles.

hemp

noun

A tall plant in the cannabis family grown for its strong fiber and seeds rather than as a drug.

hen

noun

An adult female chicken, especially one kept for laying eggs.

hence

adverb

For this reason; therefore.

henceforth

adverb

From this point in time onward.

henchman

noun

A loyal follower or subordinate who carries out orders, often without question — frequently used of a villain's or gang leader's helpers.

Henderson

name

A surname of Scottish origin, meaning roughly "son of Henry"; also used as a place name in several countries.

Hendricks

name

A surname originating as a patronymic form of Hendrick.

Hendrix

name

A surname, a variant spelling of Hendricks, made famous by guitarist Jimi Hendrix.

heng

adj

Chinese: lucky or fortunate (as a loanword sometimes used in English contexts).

henhouse

noun

A small shed or coop where chickens are kept and lay their eggs.

Henk

name

A male given name, common in the Netherlands, and a surname.

henley

noun

A pullover knit shirt with a buttoned placket at the neck but no collar.

henna

noun

A reddish-brown dye made from a flowering shrub, used to color hair or create temporary tattoos on skin.

Hennessey

name

A surname of Irish origin.

Hennessy

name

A surname of Irish origin, also the name of a well-known French cognac brand.

Henny

noun

Informal, slang: Hennessy cognac.

Henri

name

A male given name, the French form of Henry.

Henrickson

name

A surname of Scandinavian origin meaning "son of Henrik."

Henrietta

name

A female given name, the feminine form of Henry.

Henriette

name

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

henry

noun

The SI unit of electrical inductance, symbol H.

Henshaw

name

A surname of English origin, originally describing someone from a place called Henshaw.

Henson

name

A surname meaning "son of Henry", notably borne by puppeteer Jim Henson.

Heo

name

A Korean surname, also romanized as Hŏ or Huh.

hep

adjective

Fashionably aware and up-to-date; an older, jazz-era word for "hip".

heparin

noun

A naturally occurring substance that prevents blood from clotting, used medically to treat and prevent blood clots.

hepatic

adjective

Relating to, or affecting, the liver.

hepatitis

noun

Inflammation of the liver, often caused by a viral infection but sometimes by alcohol, toxins, or an autoimmune reaction.

Hepburn

noun

A system for writing Japanese words using the Latin alphabet, the one most commonly seen in Western books and signage.

Hephaestus

noun

In Greek mythology, the god of fire, metalworking, and craftsmen, who forged weapons and tools for the other gods.

her

det

Belonging to her — used before a noun to show something is owned by or associated with a particular woman, girl, or (in older or poetic use) a ship, country, etc.

Hera

name

In Greek mythology, the queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, married to Zeus.

herald

noun

A person or thing that announces or signals that something is coming.

herb

noun

A plant used to flavour food, especially the leaves.

herbal

adj

Made from or relating to herbs and plants, rather than manufactured chemicals.

herbalist

noun

A person who treats illness using plants and plant-based remedies.

Herbert

name

A male given name of Germanic origin.

Herbie

name

A diminutive (nickname) form of the name Herbert.

Herc

noun

Informal name for the Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.

Hercules

name

In Roman mythology, a hero of enormous strength, known for completing twelve immense labours; the Roman version of the Greek hero Heracles.

herd

noun

A large group of animals of one kind that live, feed, or move together.

herder

noun

A person whose job is to look after and manage a herd of animals.

herding

noun

The activity of gathering and moving animals together as a group.

here

adv

At, in, or to this place — the place where the speaker is.

hereabouts

adv

Somewhere near this place; in this general area.

hereafter

adv

From this point onward; in the future.

hereby

adv

By means of this statement or action; used especially in formal or legal declarations.

hereditary

adj

Passed down from parent to child, especially through genes.

heredity

noun

The passing of physical or genetic traits from parents to their children.

Hereford

name

A cathedral city in the west of England, and the county town of Herefordshire.

herein

adv

In this document, matter, or context.

heresy

noun

A belief that goes against the official teachings of a religion.

heretic

noun

A person whose beliefs conflict with the official teachings of their religion.

heretical

adj

Involving or characteristic of heresy; contrary to accepted religious teaching.

hereto

adv

To this document or matter; attached to this.

herewith

adv

Along with this; enclosed with this letter or document.

heritage

noun

Traditions, buildings, culture, or values passed down from earlier generations.

Herman

name

A male given name of Germanic origin, and a common surname.

Hermann

name

A male given name and surname of German origin, equivalent to English Herman.

hermaphrodite

noun

An organism, such as certain plants or animals, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.

Hermes

name

In Greek mythology, the messenger god associated with travel, trade, and communication.

Hermia

name

A female given name, best known as a character in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

hermie

noun

Informal, shortened form of "hermit crab".

Hermione

name

A female given name of Greek origin, historically the daughter of Helen of Troy, and today widely associated with the Harry Potter character Hermione Granger.

hermit

noun

A person who lives alone, away from other people, often by choice.

hermitage

noun

A secluded dwelling where a hermit lives, or more generally, any place of quiet retreat.

Hernandez

name

A common surname of Spanish origin, meaning "son of Hernando".

Hernando

name

A masculine given name of Spanish origin, a variant of Fernando, meaning "brave" or "adventurous."

hernia

noun

A condition in which an internal part of the body, often a loop of intestine, pushes through a weak spot or tear in the surrounding muscle wall, most commonly around the abdomen or groin.

hero

noun

A person admired for great courage, noble actions, or outstanding achievement.

Herod

name

A name borne by several rulers of ancient Judea, most notably Herod the Great, mentioned in the New Testament.

heroic

adj

Showing great courage, self-sacrifice, or exceptional bravery.

heroically

adv

In a brave, self-sacrificing way, like a hero.

heroics

noun

Bold, impressive actions that show unusual courage or skill.

heroin

noun

A highly addictive illegal drug made from morphine, known for producing an intense rush of euphoria.

heroine

noun

A woman admired for exceptional courage or achievement.

heroism

noun

Great courage or selflessness, especially in the face of danger.

heron

noun

A tall wading bird with long legs, a long neck, and a spear-like bill, often seen standing still at the edge of water.

herpes

noun

A viral infection that causes painful, fluid-filled blisters on the skin, mouth, or genitals.

Herr

noun

A polite title used before a German man's surname, equivalent to "Mr."

Herrera

name

A Spanish surname, originally denoting someone from a place with ironworks or a blacksmith's forge.

Herrick

name

An English surname and given name, notably borne by poet Robert Herrick.

herring

noun

A small, oily silver fish found in large schools in northern seas, widely eaten fresh, smoked, or pickled.

Herriot

name

An English surname, best known as the pen name of James Herriot, author of veterinary memoirs.

Herrmann

name

A German surname, a variant spelling of Hermann, meaning "army man."

hers

pron

The thing or things belonging to her; used in place of "her" plus a noun.

Herschel

name

A surname.

herself

pron

Used to refer back to a female subject already mentioned in the sentence.

Hershel

name

A masculine given name of Yiddish origin, meaning "deer."

Hershey

name

A surname.

Hertfordshire

name

A county in southeastern England, north of London.

hertz

noun

The standard unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second.

Herzog

noun

A German duke; a title of high nobility in German-speaking lands.

hes

pronoun

A gender-neutral pronoun blending "he" and "she," used for a person of unspecified or non-binary gender.

hesitant

adj

Slow to act or decide because of uncertainty, nervousness, or reluctance.

hesitate

verb

To pause before doing or deciding something because of doubt or reluctance.

hesitating

adj

Pausing or acting slowly because of uncertainty or reluctance.

hesitation

noun

A brief pause caused by uncertainty or reluctance before acting or deciding.

Hess

name

A surname of German-Jewish origin, originally denoting someone from the region of Hesse.

Hesse

name

A state in central Germany, and formerly a historic principality in the same region.

Hester

name

A female given name, an older form of Esther.

Heston

name

A male given name, or a place name — most notably a suburban area of west London.

het

noun

Informal slang for a heterosexual person.

hetero

adj

Informal for heterosexual; attracted to the opposite sex.

heterosexual

adj

Romantically or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

hetman

noun

A senior military commander or headman among the Cossacks, or a top military title historically used in Poland and Lithuania.

hetty

adjective

Slang for heterosexual; straight.

Hewes

name

An English surname, a variant of Hughes, meaning "son of Hugh."

Hewitt

name

An English surname derived from a Norman personal name meaning "little Hugh."

Hewlett

name

An English surname, notably one half of the Hewlett-Packard technology company name.

hex

verb

To cast a spell on someone, especially a harmful or evil one; to bewitch.

hey

interjection

An informal way to greet someone or get their attention.

heya

noun

In sumo wrestling, a training stable where rikishi (wrestlers) live, train, and eat together under a stablemaster.

heyday

noun

The period when someone or something was most successful, popular, or powerful.

Heyes

name

An English surname and place name, related to enclosed land or hedged fields.

Heywood

name

An English surname and place name meaning "hedged wood" or "high wood."

Hezbollah

noun

A Lebanese Shi'a Islamist political party and armed movement.

HH

symbol

Used to indicate one's support for Nazism.

hi

interjection

A friendly, casual greeting.

hiatus

noun

A gap or interruption in something that would otherwise be continuous.

Hibbert

name

An English surname, a variant of Hubert, meaning "bright heart" or "bright mind."

hibernate

verb

For an animal to spend winter in a dormant, low-energy state.

hibernation

noun

A state of greatly reduced activity and metabolism that some animals enter during winter.

hibiscus

noun

A flowering plant of the genus Hibiscus, often grown for its large, showy blooms, and used in some cultures to make tea.

hic

intj

Used to imitate the sound of a hiccup, often to suggest that the speaker is drunk.

hiccup

noun

An involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that produces a short, sharp sound.

hiccups

noun

A series of involuntary, repeated spasms of the diaphragm, each cut short by the sudden closing of the vocal cords, producing a sharp "hic" sound.

hick

noun

An unsophisticated or unfashionable person from the countryside, often used disparagingly.

hickey

noun

A bruise-like mark left on the skin from kissing or sucking, typically on the neck.

Hickman

name

A surname.

Hickok

name

An English surname, best known through Wild Bill Hickok, a figure of the American Old West.