English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

prestidigitator

noun

A person skilled at doing magic tricks quickly with the hands.

prestige

noun

A widely admired reputation or status resulting from success, quality, or high standing.

prestigious

adj

Widely admired and respected because of high status, quality, or achievement.

presto

adv

A musical direction meaning very fast; also used to mean something happens suddenly, as if by magic.

Preston

name

An English surname and place name, also a city in Lancashire, England.

presumable

adj

Able to be assumed as true, even without firm proof.

presumably

adv

Used to say that something is probably true, based on the available evidence, even without direct confirmation.

presume

verb

To accept something as true or likely without direct proof.

presumed

adj

Believed to be true based on the evidence available, even though it isn't formally confirmed.

presuming

adj

Acting with more confidence or boldness than is appropriate; overstepping.

presumption

noun

Something accepted as probably true without direct proof, or the act of assuming it.

presumptive

adj

Assumed to be true, based on likelihood rather than proof.

presumptively

adv

In a way based on assumption rather than certainty.

presumptuous

adj

Overconfident or arrogant in a way that overstepss what is appropriate or one's actual authority.

presuppose

verb

To take something as true beforehand, in order to base an argument or conclusion on it.

presupposition

noun

Something guessed or worked out in advance, before all the facts are known.

pretence

noun

A false show or claim, put on to disguise the truth or create a particular impression; the British spelling of "pretense".

pretend

verb

To act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play.

pretended

adj

Faked or put on rather than genuine.

pretender

noun

Someone who claims a right to a position, especially a throne, though the claim is often disputed.

pretending

noun

The act of imagining or acting out something that isn't real; make-believe.

pretense

noun

A false show or claim put on to create a misleading impression; the American spelling of "pretence".

pretension

noun

A claim to, or wish for, a certain status or quality.

pretentious

adj

Trying too hard to seem impressive, intelligent, or important, in a way that comes across as fake or overblown.

preterite

adj

Describing an action that took place at a specific point in the past.

pretermit

verb

To leave something out or ignore it on purpose.

pretext

noun

A false reason given to hide the real motive behind an action.

prettify

verb

To make something look nicer, often only on the surface.

prettiness

noun

The quality of looking attractive in a light, pleasant way.

pretty

adj

Attractive or pleasant to look at, especially in a delicate or charming way.

pretzel

noun

A baked bread snack, often salted, twisted into a knot or loop shape.

preussen

name

The name of the German state of Prussia.

prevail

verb

To win out or come out on top, especially after a struggle.

prevailing

adj

Most common, widespread, or dominant at a particular time.

prevalence

noun

How common or widespread something is in a particular place or group.

prevalent

adj

Widespread or common, especially at a given time or in a given place.

prevaricate

verb

To turn away from the right or proper course.

prevarication

noun

The act of dodging the truth rather than stating it plainly.

prevaricator

noun

A person who avoids giving straight or honest answers.

prevene

verb

To happen before something else, or to act in expectation of it.

prevenient

adj

Coming before something else in time.

prevent

verb

To stop something from happening, or to keep someone from doing something.

preventable

adj

Able to be stopped from happening.

preventer

noun

A person or thing that stops something from happening.

preventing

verb

Stopping something from happening, or stopping someone from doing something.

prevention

noun

The act of stopping something, especially a problem or danger, before it happens.

preventive

adj

Intended to stop a problem, illness, or danger before it occurs.

preview

noun

A look at something before it is officially released or completed.

previous

adj

Coming before the current one, in time or order.

previously

adv

At an earlier time, before now or before the point being discussed.

prevision

noun

Knowledge of something before it actually happens.

prex

noun

(informal) The head of an institution, particularly a university.

prexy

noun

(informal) The head of a college or university.

prey

noun

An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.

prez

noun

An alternative letter-case form of prez (“president”).

Priam

name

The legendary last king of Troy in Greek mythology.

priapic

adj

(informal) Having an erect penis.

priapism

noun

A medical condition in which an erection does not go down, even without any physical or mental stimulation.

price

noun

The amount of money needed to buy something.

priced

adj

Having a specific price set on it.

priceless

adj

So valuable that no price could be put on it.

pricey

adj

Expensive; costing more than expected.

prichard

name

A surname of Welsh origin, itself originating as a patronymic.

pricing

noun

The process of setting a price, or the price level chosen.

prick

noun

A small puncture or the sharp sensation caused by one.

pricked

adj

Punctured by a small sharp point.

pricker

noun

A person who pricks something.

prickhead

noun

(informal) A rude or unpleasant person.

pricking

noun

The act of piercing something with a sharp point, or the stinging sensation this causes.

prickle

noun

A small sharp point on something, often a plant, such as a thorn.

prickling

noun

A tingling, stinging feeling.

prickly

adj

Covered with small sharp points or thorns.

prickteaser

noun

(informal) A woman who flirts but does not follow through on what she suggests.

prickwad

noun

(informal) An irritating or unpleasant person.

pride

noun

A feeling of deep satisfaction or pleasure from one's own achievements, or those of someone close to you.

prideful

adj

Full of pride, especially in an excessive or boastful way.

priest

noun

A person trained and ordained to lead religious services and rites in a church or temple.

priestess

noun

A woman who holds religious duties and authority within a faith or cult.

priesthood

noun

The office, role, or status of being a priest.

priestliness

noun

The quality of behaving or seeming like a priest.

priestly

adj

Relating to, or characteristic of, a priest.

prig

noun

A person who is smugly self-righteous about proper behaviour, to an irritating degree.

prim

adj

Stiffly formal, neat, and overly proper in manner or appearance.

prima

adj

Foremost or most important, typically used before a title (as in "prima donna" or "prima ballerina").

prima facie

adjective

Accepted as true or sufficient on first inspection, unless later evidence proves otherwise. Used especially of evidence or of a case strong enough to go to trial.

primacy

noun

The state of being first or most important, whether in time, place, or rank.

primadonna

noun

A person who behaves as though they are more important than everyone else, demanding special treatment and sulking when they do not get it.

primal

adj

Existing from the earliest times; original or fundamental.

primarily

adv

Mainly, or first and foremost.

primary

adj

Most important; main.

primate

noun

A mammal belonging to the group that includes apes, monkeys, humans, and lemurs.

primatial

adj

Relating to a primate, the senior bishop of a country or region.

prime

adj

Of the highest quality or importance; excellent.

primed

adj

Made ready, prepared, and set to act.

primer

noun

A short introductory book or guide covering the basics of a subject.

primeval

adj

Belonging to the earliest ages of the world; ancient and primitive.

priming

noun

A substance applied as a primer.

primitive

adj

Belonging to an early stage of development; basic or unrefined.

primitiveness

noun

The fact of being primitive.

primitivism

noun

The condition of being primitive, rather than developed or advanced.

primo

adj

Informal: top-quality; the best.

primogeniture

noun

The rule or custom by which the eldest child, historically the eldest son, inherits a parent's title, land or estate ahead of any siblings.

primordial

adj

Existing from the very beginning; original and fundamental.

primordium

noun

A cluster of cells that forms the earliest stage of a developing organ.

primrose

noun

A small flowering plant, especially the pale yellow wildflower common in early spring.

primula

noun

A primrose, or any other plant of the same genus.

primus

noun

A leading bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church who presides over meetings of bishops.

prince

noun

A male member of a royal family, especially the son or grandson of a monarch.

princedom

noun

The territory, rank, or authority belonging to a prince.

princely

adj

Fit for or resembling a prince; lavish or generous.

princeps

noun

The title used by the Roman emperor in the early period of the empire.

princess

noun

A female member of a royal family, especially a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch.

principal

adj

Most important; main.

principality

noun

A country or territory ruled by a prince or princess.

principally

adv

Mainly; for the most part.

principalship

noun

The position or rank of being a principal.

principicide

noun

The act of killing a prince.

principle

noun

A fundamental rule, belief, or truth that guides behaviour or reasoning.

principled

adj

Acting according to strong moral principles; honourable.

Pringle

noun

A single potato-based crisp of the Pringles brand, sold stacked in a distinctive tube.

print

verb

To produce text or images on paper or another surface, typically using a machine.

printer

noun

A machine that produces text or images on paper, typically connected to a computer.

printing

noun

The process or industry of producing printed materials.

printout

noun

A paper copy produced by a printer.

printseller

noun

Someone whose business is selling prints.

printshop

noun

A shop where prints are sold.

prion

noun

An abnormally shaped protein that makes other proteins misfold in the same way, causing diseases of the brain and nervous system.

prior

adj

Coming before in time or order; earlier.

prioress

noun

A nun who heads a priory, usually ranking below an abbess.

priorities

noun

The plural of priority; a list or set of things ranked by importance.

prioritise

verb

A UK standard spelling of prioritize.

prioritization

noun

The process of deciding which things or tasks are most important and should be dealt with first.

prioritize

verb

To treat something as more important than other things, or to arrange tasks in order of importance.

priority

noun

Something regarded as more important than other things, and dealt with first.

priory

noun

A religious house, such as a monastery or convent, headed by a prior or prioress.

prisca

name

An alternative name for Priscilla, an early Christian.

Priscilla

name

A feminine given name meaning "ancient" or "venerable".

prise

verb

To open something using a lever or similar tool.

prism

noun

A transparent solid, often triangular, that bends light and can split it into a rainbow of colours.

prismatic

adj

Of or pertaining to a prism; having the form of a prism; containing one or more prisms.

prison

noun

A secure institution where people are held, usually as punishment after being convicted of a serious crime, or while awaiting trial.

prisoner

noun

Someone locked up in prison, whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence.

priss

noun

A person, especially seen as overly fussy or prim, who worries too much about propriety.

prissy

adj

Excessively prim, fussy, or particular about small details.

pristine

adj

Completely unspoiled and clean, as if untouched since it was made.

Pritam

name

A masculine given name of Indian origin, meaning "beloved".

Pritchard

name

A Welsh surname meaning "son of Richard".

Pritchett

name

An English surname.

prithee

intj

An old-fashioned way of saying "please," used to soften a request or question.

Prithvi

name

A male given name of Sanskrit origin, from a word meaning "the vast one", an epithet for the Earth.