English dictionary — definitions & meanings

purportedly

adv

As appears to be true or is stated or accepted to be (though might not be so).

purpose

noun

The reason something exists or is done; its intended goal.

purposeful

adj

Having a clear intention or goal; determined.

purposefully

adv

In a determined, focused manner.

purposely

adv

On purpose; deliberately, not by accident.

purposive

adj

Serving a particular purpose; useful; adapted to a given purpose, especially through natural evolution.

purr

verb

To make a low, continuous vibrating sound, as a contented cat does.

purring

noun

The low, continuous sound made by a contented cat or something similar, like an engine.

purse

noun

A small bag used for carrying money and personal items, especially by women.

purser

noun

An officer on a ship or aircraft responsible for accounts, supplies, or passenger services.

pursual

noun

pursuit (act of pursuing).

pursuance

noun

A search for something; a pursuit or quest.

pursuant

adj

In accordance with or following from something, typically a law or agreement — used with "to."

pursuantly

adv

consequently; in consequence

pursue

verb

To follow someone or something in order to catch them.

pursuer

noun

One who pursues.

pursuing

noun

The act of chasing or working toward something.

pursuit

noun

The act of chasing or seeking after something or someone.

purulence

noun

The condition of containing or discharging pus.

purves

name

An unincorporated community in Erath County, Texas, United States.

purveyor

noun

One who purveys (“furnishes, provides; gets, procures”); a supplier; specifically, one in the business of supplying food or other necessary material goods; a provisioner.

purview

noun

The scope or range of something's authority, responsibility, or interest, especially a law or an official role.

Purvis

name

An English surname, originally an occupational name for someone responsible for obtaining supplies.

pus

noun

A thick yellowish-white fluid made up of dead white blood cells and bacteria that forms at the site of an infection.

pusbag

noun

A disgusting or worthless person.

push

verb

To apply force to something so it moves away from you.

pushback

noun

The act of repelling an enemy, etc.

pushbike

noun

A pedal bicycle, as distinguished from a motorized bicycle.

pushchair

noun

A small carriage in which a baby or child sits and is pushed around.

pusher

noun

Someone or something that pushes.

pushin' P

phrase

To conduct yourself with integrity and style — keeping it real, staying loyal, and not doing anything shady or embarrassing.

pushing

adj

Aggressively assertive or forceful; pushy.

Pushkin

name

A Russian surname, most famously borne by the poet Alexander Pushkin; also a town in Russia.

pushover

noun

Someone who is easily persuaded, taken advantage of, or pushed around.

Pushpa

name

A female given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "flower".

pushy

adj

Overly assertive, forceful, or determined to get one's way.

puss

noun

An informal or affectionate word for a cat.

pussums

noun

A term of endearment for a cat.

pussy

noun

An informal or affectionate word for a cat.

pussyfoot

verb

To move silently, stealthily, or furtively.

pussygirl

noun

A (term of endearment for a) female submissive sex partner; a prostitute; a seductress.

pustule

noun

A small accumulation of pus in the epidermis or dermis.

put

verb

To move something into a particular place or position.

put off

phrasal verb

To move something to a later time, or to delay doing something you would rather not do.

put up

phrasal verb

To build, erect or fix something in a raised position so that it can be seen or used.

puta

noun

A vulgar Spanish term for a prostitute, often used more broadly as a strong insult.

putative

adj

Commonly believed or deemed to be the case; generally assumed.

Putin

name

A Russian surname, most famously borne by Vladimir Putin, president of Russia.

Putney

name

A district in southwest London, England; also a surname.

puto

noun

A small steamed rice cake, often slightly sweet, popular in Filipino cuisine and usually eaten as a snack or side dish.

putrefacient

adj

Of, pertaining to, or causing putrefaction.

putrefaction

noun

The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products.

putrefactive

adj

Of, pertaining to, or causing putrefaction.

putrefy

verb

To fester or rot and exude a fetid stench.

putrescent

adj

Becoming putrid; putrefying.

putrid

adj

Rotting and giving off a foul smell.

putsch

noun

A coup d'état; an illegal effort to forcibly overthrow the current government.

putt

verb

To strike a golf ball gently to roll it along the green toward the hole.

putten

name

A village in Gelderland, Netherlands.

putter

verb

To occupy oneself in a relaxed, unhurried way with small tasks.

putting

noun

The act of striking a golf ball gently toward the hole.

putty

noun

A soft, pliable substance used to fix panes of glass in place or fill small gaps and holes.

putz

noun

Slang for a foolish or clumsy person.

puzzle

verb

To confuse or mystify someone.

puzzled

adj

Confused or unable to understand something.

puzzlement

noun

The confusing state of being puzzled; bewilderment.

puzzler

noun

A puzzling situation or problem.

puzzling

adj

Difficult to understand or explain; confusing.

pwd

noun

Unix command to print the working directory

pwn

verb

To own, to defeat or dominate (someone or something, especially a game or someone playing a game).

pygmy

noun

A member of certain Central African peoples known for their notably short average height.

pyjamas

noun

British spelling of loose clothing worn for sleeping, usually a top and trousers.

Pyle

name

An English surname, also a village in Wales.

pylon

noun

A tall steel or concrete tower used to support overhead power lines.

Pym

name

An English surname.

Pyo

name

A Korean surname.

Pyongyang

name

The capital city of North Korea.

Pyotr

name

A Russian male given name, a transliteration of Пётр, equivalent to Peter.

pyral

adj

Of or pertaining to a pyre.

pyramid

noun

A large structure with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point, especially the ancient Egyptian tombs.

Pyramids

name

The ancient monumental stone structures in Egypt built mainly as royal tombs.

Pyramus

name

A Babylonian youth in classical mythology, the tragic lover of Thisbe.

pyre

noun

A pile of wood built for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.

Pyrenees

name

A mountain range separating Spain and France.

pyro

noun

Informal short form of pyromaniac — someone with an obsessive urge to start fires.

pyrolusite

noun

A dark coloured mineral, consisting of manganese dioxide (MnO₂), that is an important ore of manganese.

pyromania

noun

A compulsive disorder characterized by obsession with fire or uncontrollable urges to start fires.

pyromaniac

noun

A person with an uncontrollable urge to deliberately set things on fire.

pyrosis

noun

A burning sensation in the chest due to reflux of stomach contents in the esophagus.

pyrotechnic

adj

Of or relating to fireworks.

pyrotechnical

adj

Of or pertaining to pyrotechnics

pyrotechnician

noun

A person who designs or organises pyrotechnics.

pyrotechnics

noun

The craft of making and using fireworks, including for military and stage effects.

pyrotechnist

noun

A pyrotechnician: person skilled in the manufacture or setting off of fireworks and firework displays.

pyrotechny

noun

The manufacture and use of fireworks.

pyrrhic

adjective

Describing a victory won at such a heavy cost that it is barely worth having, and may leave the winner weaker than before.

pythagoras

name

A male given name from Ancient Greek of mostly historical use, and a transliteration from modern Greek.

Python

noun

A large, nonvenomous constricting snake that kills prey by squeezing it.

pythonic

adj

Of or pertaining to, or resembling, a python (“large constricting snake of the family Pythonidae”); pythonlike.

pythonist

noun

An enchanter, conjurer, charmer or similar diviner.

pythons

noun

Slang for large, muscular biceps.

pyxie

noun

Archaic form of pixie (“magical creature”).