English dictionary — definitions & meanings

politely

adv

In a polite, well-mannered way.

politeness

noun

The quality of being well-mannered and considerate.

politesse

noun

Civility, politeness, courtesy or gallantry; genteel politeness or an instance of this.

politic

adj

Shrewd and careful in dealing with people or situations; diplomatic.

political

adj

Relating to government, politics, or the exercise of public power.

politically

adv

In a manner relating to politics or political strategy.

politician

noun

A person who holds or seeks elected or appointed government office.

politicise

verb

Non-Oxford British English standard spelling of politicize.

politicization

noun

The state of being (or process of becoming) politicized

politicize

verb

To engage in or discuss politics.

politicly

adv

In a politic (shrewd) manner

politico

noun

A politician.

politics

noun

The activities and methods involved in governing a country, organization, or group.

polity

noun

Organizational structure and governance, especially of a state or a religion.

Polk

verb

To dance the polka.

polka

noun

A lively couple dance in duple time that originated in Bohemia, or the brisk music written for it.

poll

noun

A survey that asks people questions to gauge public opinion.

Pollack

name

A surname, a variant of Pollock, sometimes denoting Polish origin.

Pollard

noun

A tree that has been pruned back hard to the trunk so it grows a dense crown of new shoots.

pollen

noun

The fine, powdery substance produced by flowers, containing the plant's male reproductive cells.

pollex

noun

The thumb; the first, or preaxial, digit of the forelimb, corresponding to the hallux in the hind limb. In birds, the pollex is the joint which bears the alula or bastard wing.

pollinate

verb

To apply pollen to (a stigma).

polling

noun

The activity of surveying opinions or running a vote.

pollock

noun

A lean, white-fleshed marine fish related to cod, widely used in fish fingers and fast food.

pollutant

noun

A foreign substance that makes something dirty, or impure, especially waste from human activities.

pollute

verb

To make air, water, or land dirty or harmful, usually by adding waste or chemicals.

polluted

adj

Made dirty or unsafe by contamination.

polluting

adj

Causing pollution; tending to contaminate the environment.

pollution

noun

The contamination of the environment with harmful substances, noise, or light.

Pollux

name

A bright star in the constellation Gemini.

Polly

name

A female given name, and a traditional pet name for a parrot.

Pollyanna

noun

Someone who stays relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, even when the situation gives them every reason not to be.

polo

noun

A team sport played on horseback, in which riders use long mallets to hit a ball into the opposing goal.

polonium

noun

A rare, intensely radioactive chemical element, symbol Po, atomic number 84.

Polonius

noun

A meddling person who gives long-winded, ultimately poor advice.

poltergeist

noun

A supposed ghost or spirit blamed for noises and the mysterious movement of objects.

poltroon

noun

An ignoble or total coward; a dastard; a mean-spirited wretch.

poly

noun

Informal short form of polytechnic, a college focused on technical and vocational subjects.

polyamorous

adjective

Having or open to having more than one romantic or sexual relationship at the same time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.

polyamory

noun

Any of various practices involving romantic or sexual relationships with multiple partners with the knowledge and consent of all involved.

polychromatic

adj

Showing a variety, or a change, of colours; having many colours.

polychronic

adj

Happening at different times.

polydactyly

noun

A congenital condition in which a person or animal has more than the usual number of digits (fingers or toes) on at least one of the hands or feet.

polyester

noun

A synthetic fabric or plastic made from chains of ester-linked polymer molecules.

polygamous

adj

Of, relating to, or practicing polygamy.

polygamy

noun

The practice or condition of having more than one spouse at the same time.

polyglot

noun

A person who knows and can use several languages.

polygraph

noun

A device, popularly called a lie detector, that records changes in breathing, pulse, and skin response while someone answers questions.

polygyny

noun

The state or practice of a man having more than one wife at a time; plurality of wives; marriage between one man and multiple wives.

polymath

noun

A person with deep knowledge and ability across many different subjects.

polymer

noun

A large molecule made of many repeating smaller units (monomers) chemically bonded together.

Polynesia

noun

A vast region of the central and southern Pacific made up of thousands of islands, including Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti, and Easter Island.

Polynesian

adj

Relating to Polynesia, the islands of the central and south Pacific such as Hawaii, Samoa, and Tahiti.

polyp

noun

A cylindrical coelenterate, such as the hydra, having a mouth surrounded with tentacles.

polyphony

noun

Musical texture consisting of several independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).

polypus

noun

A medical phenomenon.

polysemic

adj

Having a number of senses (meanings) or understandings.

polysexual

adjective

Attracted to people of many genders, but not necessarily all of them.

polytechnic

noun

A college or institute that teaches applied sciences, engineering, and technical skills rather than purely academic subjects.

polytheism

noun

The belief in the existence of multiple gods.

polytheist

noun

a believer in, or advocate of, polytheism

polytony

noun

The quality of being polytonic.

pom

noun

Informal Australian and New Zealand term for an English person.

pomace

noun

The pulp or pulplike matter remaining from a substance pressed to extract its juice or oil.

pomade

noun

A greasy or waxy substance that is used to style hair, making it look slick and shiny.

pomate

noun

Synonym of ointment, particularly thick waxy ointments scented with fruit used to beautify the skin or hair.

pomatum

noun

Synonym of ointment, particularly thick waxy ointments scented with fruit used to beautify the skin or hair.

pomegranate

noun

A round fruit with tough reddish skin and many juicy, sweet-tart seeds inside.

Pomeroy

noun

A variety of large English apple.

pommel

noun

The upper front brow of a saddle.

pomp

noun

Grand, ceremonial display; splendor and formality associated with an important occasion.

pompadour

noun

A hairstyle in which the hair is swept up and back from the forehead.

pompeian

adj

Of or pertaining to Pompey

Pompeii

name

An ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Pompey

name

The Anglicized name of the Roman general and statesman Pompeius Magnus.

pompom

noun

A ball made of pieces of soft fabric, tinsel, plastic, or paper streamers, tied together in the middle and left loose at the ends, used as decoration or as a showy prop for cheerleading.

pomposity

noun

The quality of being pompous; self-importance.

pompous

adj

Overly self-important, grand, or full of exaggerated dignity.

pon

noun

In mahjong, a call made to claim a discarded tile in order to form a set of three matching tiles.

ponce

noun

British slang, often derogatory, for a man who lives off someone else's earnings, especially a pimp.

poncho

noun

A simple cloak made from a piece of cloth with a hole for the head, worn over the shoulders.

pond

noun

A small body of still water, smaller than a lake, whether natural or artificial.

ponder

verb

To think about something carefully and for a long time.

ponderable

adj

Having a detectable amount of matter; having a measurable mass.

ponderer

noun

A person who ponders; a thinker.

pondering

noun

A period of deep or careful thought.

ponderosa

noun

A very large pine tree native to western North America, prized for its timber.

ponderous

adj

Heavy, massive, weighty.

ponderousness

noun

The quality of being ponderous.

ponent

noun

The west; the area of the setting sun.

pong

noun

A strong, unpleasant smell.

pongo

noun

Any large ape, such as an orangutan or gorilla.

poniard

noun

A dagger typically having a slender square or triangular blade.

ponies

noun

Units of horsepower, especially in describing a car or engine's output.

pont

verb

To pose or hold a stiff, awkward position for a long time, as if freezing in place.

Ponte

name

A surname of Italian, Portuguese, and Galician origin, meaning "bridge".

Pontiac

noun

A car made by the former Pontiac brand, an American automaker owned by General Motors from 1926 until it was discontinued in 2010.

pontiff

noun

The Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

pontifical

adj

Of or pertaining to a pontiff.

pontificate

noun

The status or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.

pontoon

noun

A flat-bottomed float used to support a temporary bridge, dock, or platform on water.

Pontus

name

An ancient region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, also a masculine given name in Scandinavia.

pony

noun

A small breed of horse, typically under about 14 hands high.

ponytail

noun

A hairstyle in which hair is gathered and tied so it hangs down at the back of the head.

Ponzi

noun

A fraudulent investment scheme that pays existing investors with money from new investors, rather than real profit.

poo

noun

Solid waste from the body; excrement (a mild, informal word often used with children).

pooch

noun

Informal word for a dog, especially a mongrel or family pet.

poochie

noun

An affectionate, informal word for a dog.

poodle

noun

A breed of dog with a thick, curly coat, bred originally for hunting and known for its intelligence.

poof

intj

Used to represent a sudden small explosion or a magical vanishing.

poofter

noun

A derogatory slang term (chiefly British and Australian) for a gay man, especially one perceived as effeminate.

pooh

name

Ellipsis of Winnie the Pooh.

Pooja

noun

A Hindu ritual act of worship, typically involving offerings, prayers, and devotional rites in front of a deity or shrine.

Pookie

noun

An affectionate pet name used for a partner, child, or loved one.

pool

noun

A small body of still water, or a purpose-built structure for swimming.

Poole

name

An English surname and the name of a coastal town in Dorset, England.

pooling

noun

The act of combining resources, money, or people into a shared supply.

poolside

adj

Located next to a swimming pool.

poon

noun

Vulgar slang for the vagina, or for sex with a woman.

poonah

name

Archaic form of Pune.

Poonam

name

A Hindu female given name derived from a Hindi word for "full moon."

poontang

noun

Vulgar slang for female genitalia, for sex with a woman, or (in a demeaning sense) for a woman viewed purely as a sexual object.

poop

verb

To defecate (informal, especially used with or by children).

pooped

adj

Exhausted; very tired.

pooper

noun

The anus; often in reference to anal intercourse.

pooping

noun

On a ship, the event of a large wave breaking over the stern (the "poop deck") of the vessel.

poopy

adj

Covered in or resembling feces (informal, often used with children).

poor

adj

Having little money or few possessions.

poorhouse

noun

Historically, an institution that housed and supported people who could not support themselves.

poorliness

noun

The quality of being poorly; ill health.

poorly

adv

In a way that lacks skill, quality, or success.

pootie

noun

An informal, chiefly regional American word for a baby's pacifier.

pop

verb

To make a sudden sharp sound, especially from bursting.

popcorn

noun

A snack made from corn kernels heated until they burst open and puff up.

pope

noun

The bishop of Rome, head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Popeye

name

A classic cartoon sailor known for his bulging forearms, squinting eye, and love of spinach.

popinjay

noun

A decorative image of a parrot on a tapestry, cloth etc.

popishness

noun

The state or condition of being popish.

poplar

noun

A tall, fast-growing deciduous tree of the genus Populus, often planted in rows as a windbreak.

Popov

name

A common Russian and Bulgarian surname meaning "priest's son".

poppa

noun

An informal, affectionate word for father.

popper

noun

A snap fastener used on clothing instead of a button, which clicks shut with a light pop.

poppers

noun

A class of recreational alkyl nitrite drugs, inhaled for a brief, intense head rush.

poppet

noun

An affectionate British term for a sweet or endearing child.

popping

noun

The act or sound of something bursting or making short, sharp cracks.

poppy

noun

A plant with delicate, often bright red petals, some varieties of which are the source of opium.

poppycock

noun

Nonsense; ridiculous or foolish talk.

pops

noun

An informal term for one's father, or an older man addressed familiarly.

Popsicle

noun

Flavoured ice frozen on a stick, eaten as a treat, especially in hot weather.

populace

noun

The ordinary people of a country or region as a whole.