English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Onions

name

A Welsh surname originating as a patronymic form of the given name Einion.

online

adj

Connected to the internet or another network, and actively available or in use.

onliness

noun

The quality of being the only one of its kind, or completely alone.

onlook

noun

The act of watching something; observation.

onlooker

noun

A person who watches something happen without joining in.

only

adj

Being the single one of its kind; sole.

onlyhood

noun

The state of being the only one of its kind, or completely alone.

ono

adj

Hawaiian slang for delicious or great-tasting.

onomatopoeia

noun

A word that imitates the sound it describes, such as buzz, hiss, splash or clang; also the forming of such words.

onrush

noun

A strong, fast movement forward.

onrushing

adj

Moving forward quickly and with force.

Ons

name

A feminine given name of Arabic origin.

onscreen

adj

Appearing on a screen, such as film, television, or a computer display, as opposed to in real life.

onset

noun

The point at which something, especially an illness or a change, first begins.

onslaught

noun

A fierce, forceful attack.

Onslow

name

A surname and given name originating as a patronymic, also the name of an English earldom.

onstage

adj

Taking place on the visible part of a stage, in front of an audience.

onto

prep

Moving to a position on top of or upon something.

ontogenesis

noun

The process by which a living thing grows from the moment it is formed until it is fully grown.

ontological

adjective

Relating to ontology — the branch of philosophy concerned with what exists and what it means for something to be.

ontology

noun

The area of philosophy that looks at what it means for something to exist.

onus

noun

(law) A duty that the law places on someone.

onward

adj

Moving or directed forward, or further ahead in time.

onwards

adv

British spelling variant of onward, meaning continuing forward or from a point in time.

onyx

noun

A banded gemstone form of quartz, often black and white, used in jewelry and carvings.

oo

noun

The Greek letter omega (Ω, ω), sometimes written this way to show its long "o" sound.

oodles

noun

An informal word for a very large, unspecified amount of something.

oof

intj

An exclamation imitating the sound of air being forced out, as if someone has been struck or startled.

oofy

adj

(informal) Having plenty of money.

ooh

intj

An exclamation expressing surprise, delight, or awe.

ooi

name

A surname found mostly in Malaysia and Singapore.

oojamaflip

noun

(informal) A thing whose name you cannot remember or do not know.

ook

intj

Used to represent the sound of an ape or monkey's cry.

oolong

noun

A partially fermented Chinese tea that sits between green and black tea in flavor and processing.

oom

noun

A respectful South African term for an older man, especially an uncle.

oomph

noun

Energy, force, or appeal that makes something impressive or effective.

Oona

name

A feminine given name of Irish origin, a variant of Una.

oonuh

pron

You, when talking to more than one person.

ooo

phrase

A written stand-in for "hugs," typically added at the end of a text message or letter, often paired with "xxx" for kisses.

oooh

intj

A stretched-out version of "ooh," used to show strong surprise, admiration, or interest.

ooooh

intj

An even longer, more emphatic stretch of "ooh" or "oh," used for heightened surprise, teasing, or excitement.

OOP

verb

To write code using an object-oriented programming approach.

oophorectomy

noun

The surgical removal of one or both ovaries, usually carried out to treat or prevent problems such as ovarian cancer, cysts or endometriosis.

oops

intj

Used to acknowledge a small mistake or accident.

oopsy

noun

(informal) A small mistake, especially a baby or young child wetting or soiling itself.

oot

pron

Anything at all (used in older or dialectal English, roughly like modern "aught" or "anything").

OOTD

abbreviation

Outfit of the day: a photo or post showing what someone is wearing, used especially as a hashtag on Instagram and TikTok.

Ooty

name

A common nickname for Udhagamandalam, a hill city in Tamil Nadu, India.

ooze

verb

To leak or flow out slowly, especially a thick or sticky substance.

oozing

noun

A slow leak or seepage of liquid.

op

verb

Informal term meaning to promote someone to administrator or operator status in an online chat or game.

op-ed

noun

A signed opinion article printed in a newspaper or published on its site, written by someone who is not on the paper's editorial board and expressing that writer's own argument.

opa

noun

An informal, affectionate word for grandfather.

opacity

noun

The degree to which something blocks light or cannot be seen through; the quality of being opaque.

opacous

adj

Dark, with no light or shine.

opal

noun

A gemstone form of silica that often displays a shifting play of rainbow colors within it.

opaque

adj

Not allowing light to pass through; not transparent or translucent.

ope

interjection

An exclamation of mild surprise or embarrassment, similar to "oops."

open

adjective

Not closed, blocked, or sealed — allowing entry, passage, or view.

open source

adjective

Of software: released with its underlying code made publicly available under a licence that lets anyone read it, use it, change it and share their changed version.

open up

phrasal verb

To start talking freely about feelings, worries or private matters that you had been keeping to yourself.

open-minded

adjective

Willing to consider ideas, evidence and ways of living that differ from your own instead of dismissing them out of hand.

opened

adjective

Already made open; having gone through the process of opening.

opener

noun

A tool designed to open something, such as a can or bottle.

openhanded

adj

Carried out with the hand unclosed, not clenched.

opening

noun

A gap or hole that allows passage or access.

openly

adverb

In a direct, honest, and visible way, without hiding anything.

openness

noun

A willingness to consider new ideas, people, or experiences.

opera

noun

A theatrical work in which the story is told mainly through singing, with orchestral music.

operable

adj

Able to be used or made to work.

operand

noun

A number or quantity that an operator works on, such as the 3 and the x in 3-x.

operant

adj

Acting or working so as to cause a result.

operate

verb

To work or run, especially a machine or system.

operated

adjective

Powered or controlled by a specified means.

operatic

adjective

Relating to opera, or dramatic and grand in the style of opera.

operating

adjective

Currently running or functioning.

operating system

noun

The main piece of software on a computer or phone that starts up first, manages the hardware such as the screen, memory and storage, and provides the shared services that all other programs rely on to run.

operation

noun

The way something works, or the act of making it work.

operational

adjective

Working and ready to be used.

operations

noun

The practical, day-to-day activities involved in running a business or organization.

operative

adjective

In effect, functioning, or currently applicable.

operator

noun

A person who runs or controls a machine, vehicle, or system.

operetta

noun

A short, light opera with a comic or romantic story and spoken dialogue between musical numbers.

Ophelia

name

A feminine given name of Greek origin, famously the tragic love interest in Shakespeare's Hamlet; also a moon of Uranus.

ophthalmic

adj

(medicine) Relating to the eyes.

ophthalmologist

noun

A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye diseases and vision problems.

ophthalmology

noun

The branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, functions, diseases and treatment of the eye.

opiate

noun

A drug derived from opium, used medically to relieve pain or induce sleep.

Opie

name

A Cornish surname, originating as a pet form of names such as Osborn.

opination

noun

The act or process of forming and giving an opinion.

opine

verb

To say what you think about something.

opinion

noun

A belief or judgment that someone holds about a subject, not necessarily based on proven fact.

opinionated

adjective

Holding and expressing strong personal views, often stubbornly.

opium

noun

An addictive narcotic drug made from the dried sap of the opium poppy, containing morphine and other alkaloids.

opossum

noun

A marsupial animal native to the Americas.

opp

noun

An enemy or rival, especially a member of a rival gang or crew; used mainly in drill, rap and street slang, and jokingly in wider online use.

oppa

noun

A Korean term used by a woman to affectionately address an older brother or close older male friend.

Oppenheimer

noun

A person from the German town of Oppenheim.

opponent

noun

A person who competes against or opposes someone else, as in a game, contest, or argument.

opportune

adjective

Well-timed or well-suited for a particular purpose.

opportunely

adv

In a way that fits a particular purpose well.

opportunism

noun

The habit of exploiting circumstances or other people to get what one wants, frequently without concern for principle or outcome.

opportunist

noun

A person who seizes any chance to benefit themselves, often disregarding principle or fairness.

opportunistic

adjective

Quick to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, often without regard for principles.

opportunity

noun

A favorable set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

opposable

adjective

Capable of being placed against or facing another part, especially describing a thumb that can touch the other fingers.

oppose

verb

To disagree with or actively resist something.

opposed

adjective

Disagreeing with or against something; in conflict with.

opposer

noun

A person who opposes something.

opposing

adjective

On the other or contrary side; in conflict with another.

opposite

adjective

Located directly across from something, or facing the other direction.

oppositeness

noun

The state or quality of being opposite.

opposition

noun

Strong disagreement with, or resistance to, a plan, policy, or idea.

oppress

verb

To control or treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, often by force.

oppressed

adjective

Kept down or treated unjustly by a more powerful group or authority.

oppressing

adjective

Cruel and burdensome; keeping people down by force or unfair power.

oppression

noun

The use of power in a cruel or unjust way to control or hold down a person or group.

oppressive

adjective

Unjust and harsh; ruling or treating people cruelly.

oppressiveness

noun

How harsh, overbearing or unfair something is.

oppressor

noun

A person or group that uses power unjustly to control or mistreat others.

opprobrium

noun

A thing, person, or circumstance that provokes disgrace or shame.

oppugnant

adj

Strongly opposed to something; hostile.

Oprah

name

A female given name, a variant of the biblical name Orpah, now widely associated with media figure Oprah Winfrey.

opry

noun

A folksy or dialectal way of saying "opera"; also, a venue that hosts country or folk music shows.

ops

noun

Short for "operations" — the practical, day-to-day running of a business, military mission, or IT system.

opt

verb

To choose one option over another, often after weighing alternatives.

opt out

verb

To choose not to take part in something you would otherwise be included in automatically.

optic

adjective

Relating to the eye or to vision.

optical

adjective

Relating to sight, vision, or the science of light.

optically

adv

In a way connected with eyesight or optical equipment.

optician

noun

An optician is someone who makes, dispenses or sells spectacles and lenses.

optics

noun

The branch of physics that studies light and vision.

optimal

adjective

The best possible under the circumstances; most favorable given the constraints.

optime

noun

A student awarded second-class honours, called senior optime, or third-class honours, called junior optime, in mathematics, or, less strictly, in any other subject.

optimism

noun

A tendency to expect good things to happen or to see the positive side of a situation.

optimist

noun

Someone who habitually expects things to turn out well.

optimistic

adjective

Hopeful and expecting a good outcome.

optimization

noun

The process of making something — a system, design, or process — work as well as possible.

optimize

verb

To adjust something so that it works as well or as efficiently as possible.

optimum

noun

The most favorable point or amount achievable under a given set of conditions.

Optimus

name

An affectionate nickname sometimes given to a machine, such as a car or robot, playing on the Latin word for "best."

option

noun

One of the choices available to someone in a given situation.

optional

adjective

Not required; available to choose but not compulsory.

optometrist

noun

A professional trained to examine eyes, test vision, and prescribe glasses or contact lenses.

opulence

noun

Great wealth displayed in a lavish, visibly expensive way.

opulent

adjective

Extremely luxurious and lavish, often to a showy degree.

opus

noun

A musical composition, especially one numbered within a composer's body of work.

or

conjunction

Used to link two or more alternatives, showing that any one of them could be true or chosen.

ora

noun

An old unit of currency used among the Anglo-Saxons.

orach

noun

Any plant belonging to the saltbush group, genus Atriplex.