English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

pseudoscience

noun

A set of ideas or claims that are presented as scientific but do not follow real scientific methods.

psh

interjection

An informal sound used to express dismissiveness or disbelief, similar to "pshaw."

pshh

intj

Used to show inspiration, amazement, or respect.

psht

intj

Means the same as “pshaw”.

psi

noun

The 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet (Ψ, ψ).

psoriasis

noun

A long-term skin condition that causes red, inflamed patches covered in silvery, flaky scales.

pssh

intj

An exclamation of dismissal or disbelief, similar to "pshaw."

psst

intj

Used quietly to get someone's attention without others noticing.

psych

verb

To trick or intimidate someone mentally, often phrased as "psych out."

psyche

noun

A person's mind, soul, or innermost self, especially in terms of thoughts and emotions.

psyched

adj

Very excited and enthusiastic about something.

psychedelic

adj

Related to the altered perception, hallucinations, or intense sensory effects caused by certain drugs.

psychiatric

adj

Relating to psychiatry, the medical treatment of mental illness.

psychiatrist

noun

A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness, often able to prescribe medication.

psychiatry

noun

The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.

psychic

noun

A person claimed to have supernatural abilities, such as reading minds or predicting the future.

psychical

adj

Relating to the mind or spirit; mental or psychic.

psychically

adv

In a way that involves supposed supernatural or extrasensory perception.

psychics

noun

People who claim supernatural mental abilities (plural of psychic).

psycho

noun

An informal, often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally disturbed or dangerously unstable.

psychoactive

adj

Having an effect on the mind or how it works.

psychoanalysis

noun

A therapy method, originated by Freud, that explores unconscious thoughts and childhood experiences to explain behavior.

psychoanalyst

noun

A therapist trained to practice psychoanalysis.

psychoanalyze

verb

To give someone psychoanalysis as a form of treatment.

psychobabble

noun

Psychology jargon used pretentiously to describe ordinary problems, making them sound more complex than they are.

psychokinesis

noun

The moving of objects using mental power alone, sometimes shortened to PK.

psychologic

adjective

Psychologic means relating to psychology.

psychological

adj

Relating to psychology or to the workings of the mind.

psychologically

adv

In terms of the mind or mental processes.

psychologist

noun

A specialist who studies the mind and behavior, often providing therapy or counseling.

psychology

noun

The scientific study of the mind and human behavior.

psychopath

noun

A person with a severe personality disorder marked by manipulation, lack of empathy, and disregard for others' safety or rights.

psychopathic

adj

Showing the traits typical of a psychopath, such as manipulation and lack of empathy.

psychopathology

noun

The branch of study that looks at how mental and behavioural disorders start, develop, are diagnosed and treated.

psychopathy

noun

A personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy or guilt, along with bold, selfish and reckless behaviour hidden behind surface charm; it can be linked to criminal acts.

psychosis

noun

A severe mental condition in which a person loses touch with reality, often involving hallucinations or delusions.

psychosocial

adjective

Relating to the way a person's mind and their social circumstances affect each other, taking in things like relationships, work, money, isolation and culture alongside psychological state.

psychosomatic

adj

Describing a physical symptom or illness that is caused or worsened by mental or emotional factors.

psychostimulant

adj

Likely to make someone more mentally alert and aware.

psychotherapist

noun

A trained professional who treats mental and emotional problems through talk-based therapy.

psychotherapy

noun

Treatment of mental and emotional problems through talking with a trained therapist.

psychotic

adj

Relating to or affected by psychosis, especially involving hallucinations or delusions.

psychotropic

adj

Affecting the mind, mood, or mental processes, usually describing certain drugs.

PTA

noun

Abbreviation for Parent-Teacher Association, a group of parents and teachers who organize school activities and fundraising.

ptarmigan

noun

A ptarmigan is one of three grouse species belonging to the genus Lagopus, native to cold, treeless tundra habitat across North America and Eurasia.

pterodactyl

noun

A flying reptile from the dinosaur era with a long beak and wings made of skin stretched over a long finger bone.

PTO

noun

Paid time off: leave from work that an employer still pays for, often held as a single pooled allowance covering holiday, sick days and personal days.

Ptolemy

name

A male given name of Greek origin, most famously borne by the ancient astronomer and geographer Claudius Ptolemy, and by the line of Macedonian-Egyptian kings founded by Ptolemy I.

Pu

name

A county in Linfen, Shanxi province, China, or a Chinese surname.

pub

noun

A public house that serves drinks, especially beer, and often food, common in Britain and Ireland.

puberty

noun

The stage of development, driven by hormones, during which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction.

pubes

noun

Informal term for pubic hair.

pubescence

noun

The condition of going through or having reached puberty.

pubescent

adj

Having just reached, or being at, the age of puberty.

pubic

adj

Relating to the lower abdominal area around the genitals.

pubis

noun

The bone at the front of the pelvis, part of the hip bone.

public

adj

Open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private.

publican

noun

A person who runs or owns a pub.

publication

noun

The act of making printed or digital material available to the public.

publicise

verb

To let the public know about something.

publicist

noun

Someone whose job is to promote a person, brand, or event and manage their public image.

publicity

noun

Promotional activity intended to attract public attention to something.

publicly

adverb

In a way that is open and visible to everyone, not in private.

publish

verb

To prepare and issue a written, printed, or digital work for the public to read or buy.

published

adjective

Made available for sale or reading by the general public.

publisher

noun

A person or company whose business is producing and distributing books, magazines, or other written material.

publishing

noun

The business of producing and distributing books, magazines, or other written works.

Puccini

name

An Italian surname, most famously borne by the opera composer Giacomo Puccini.

pucelle

noun

A young girl or maiden; a virgin, frequently used when referring to Joan of Arc.

puck

noun

The small, hard rubber disc that players hit across the ice in ice hockey.

pucker

verb

To draw something into small folds or wrinkles, especially by tightening or squeezing.

puckering

noun

A small fold or gathered bunch in cloth, caused when one layer shrinks more than another.

Puckett

name

An English surname, also the name of a village in Mississippi.

puckish

adj

Inclined to play pranks or tease others with silly jokes; mischievous.

puckishness

noun

A moment or example of playful mischief.

pud

noun

A short, informal word for pudding, whether sweet or savory.

pudding

noun

A soft, sweet dessert, often milk- or egg-based, cooked or set until thick and creamy.

puddle

noun

A small pool of water, typically left on a path or road after rain.

pudendal

adj

Relating to, or located near, the pudendum.

pudendum

noun

A person's outer sex organs, especially a woman's vulva.

pudent

adj

Showing modesty; bashful.

pudgy

adjective

Slightly overweight or plump, often used affectionately, especially of a child.

pudic

adj

Quick to feel shame; modest and chaste.

pueblo

noun

A settlement of the Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest, traditionally built from adobe or stone in a multi-storey style.

puellile

adj

Typical of, or relating to, a girl or girls.

puelline

adj

Another word for puellile, meaning characteristic of, or relating to, a girl or girls.

puerile

adj

Behaving in a childish, silly way.

puerilism

noun

Adult behaviour that seems childlike, sometimes a sign of mental illness.

puerility

noun

The quality of being childish or silly.

Puerta

name

A Spanish surname, from the Spanish word for "door" or "gate".

Puerto

name

A Spanish surname, from the Spanish word for "port" or "harbour".

puff

noun

A short burst of breath, air, or smoke.

puffball

noun

A round fungus that releases a cloud of dust-like spores when its mature body is disturbed.

puffed

adjective

Swollen or inflated, often with air or steam.

puffer

noun

Any of several fish that inflate their bodies with water or air when threatened.

pufferfish

noun

Any of several fish in the Tetraodontidae family that can puff themselves into a ball by gulping water or air when in danger; also called a blowfish.

puffery

noun

The action of puffing something, or a single instance of it.

puffin

noun

A small black-and-white seabird with a large, brightly coloured beak, found around northern coastlines.

puffiness

noun

The condition of being swollen or puffed up.

puffing

noun

The act of breathing heavily or emitting puffs of smoke or air.

puffy

adjective

Swollen or rounded in shape, as if filled with air.

pug

noun

A small breed of dog with a flat, wrinkled face, a stocky body, and a curled tail.

puggled

adj

Very tired, worn out, and with no energy left.

puggy

adj

Looking like, or typical of, a pug dog.

Pugh

name

A surname of Welsh origin.

pugilist

noun

A person who fights using their fists, especially a professional boxer.

pugnacity

noun

A tendency to be aggressive and ready to fight or argue.

Pugsley

name

A surname.

puh

noun

A filter-avoidance spelling of pussy.

puisne

adj

Lower in seniority; junior.

puissant

adj

Having great power, strength, or influence.

puja

noun

A ritual act of worship performed in Hindu and other South Asian religious traditions, often involving offerings, prayers, and rituals before an image or deity.

puke

verb

To vomit.

puking

noun

The act of vomiting.

pukka

adj

Real and true, or, describing behaviour, correct and socially proper.

pulaski

noun

A firefighting hand tool combining an axe blade on one side and a mattock (digging) blade on the other, used to fight wildfires.

pulchritudinous

adj

Extremely beautiful in appearance.

pule

noun

A weak, sad whining sound.

Pulitzer

name

A surname, most famously borne by the newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, after whom the Pulitzer Prize is named.

pull

verb

To apply force to something so it moves toward you.

pulled

adjective

Describing cooked meat that has been shredded into fine strands, usually after slow cooking.

puller

noun

A tool or device used to pull something free, especially in mechanical work.

pullet

noun

A hen that is still young, usually under a year old.

pulley

noun

A simple machine consisting of a wheel with a grooved rim over which a rope or chain runs, used to lift or move loads.

pullin

name

A surname.

pulling

noun

The act of applying force to draw something toward oneself.

Pullman

noun

A luxurious railroad passenger car, especially one with sleeping compartments, named after its manufacturer.

pullout

noun

The act of pulling out, especially when troops leave an area.

pullover

noun

A sweater that is put on by pulling it over the head, without buttons or a zipper.

pullulate

verb

To increase in number very quickly.

pulmonary

adj

Relating to or affecting the lungs.

pulmonic

adj

Relating to, or coming from, the lungs.

pulmonologist

noun

A doctor who specialises in the lungs and airways, treating conditions such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, lung cancer and sleep apnoea.

pulp

noun

A soft, wet, shapeless mass, especially the fleshy inner part of a fruit or the mashed fibers used to make paper.

pulpit

noun

A raised platform in a church where a preacher stands to deliver a sermon.

pulpy

adj

Soft and thick, like pulp.

pulsar

noun

A spinning neutron star that sends out regular bursts of radio waves, detected on Earth as rapid pulses.

pulsate

verb

To grow larger and smaller in a regular rhythm, like a beating pulse.

pulsating

adj

Beating or throbbing rhythmically; also used loosely to mean thrilling or exciting.

pulsation

noun

The steady beating of the heart or an artery; a pulse.

pulse

noun

The regular beat you feel in an artery, caused by the heart pumping blood.

pulsing

noun

The act of beating or sending out something in rhythmic bursts.

pulverise

verb

To crush something down into a fine powder.

pulverize

verb

To crush something into fine powder or dust.

puma

noun

A large wild cat native to the Americas, also called a mountain lion or cougar.

pumice

noun

A light, full of tiny holes volcanic rock, often used to scrub away dead skin.

pumiceous

adj

Relating to pumice, or looking like it.

pummel

verb

To hit someone or something repeatedly with the fists or in a heavy, battering way.

pump

noun

A device that moves or pushes liquid or gas from one place to another.

pumped

adj

Very excited or enthusiastic.