English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

SA

verb

To sexually assault someone (slang/offensive use).

Saab

noun

A car or aircraft made by the Swedish manufacturer Saab.

saad

noun

The letter ص in the Arabic alphabet.

saba

noun

A thick, sweet syrup made from boiled-down grape juice.

Saban

adj

Relating to the Caribbean island of Saba.

Sabbath

noun

A weekly day set aside for rest and religious observance — Saturday in Judaism, Sunday in most Christian traditions, and Friday in Islam.

sabbatical

noun

An extended break from one's regular work, often taken by academics or professionals to travel, study, or rest.

Sabe

name

A legendary creature in Ojibwe and related traditions, similar to Bigfoot, associated with the value of honesty.

Saber

name

A surname.

Sabina

name

A given name, from Latin, used for both men and women historically, though it is now mainly feminine.

Sabine

noun

A member of an ancient people of central Italy, absorbed into early Rome.

sable

noun

A small, weasel-like mammal prized for its soft, dark brown fur.

sabotage

noun

A deliberate act intended to damage, weaken, or derail someone or something, usually by underhand or destructive means.

saboteur

noun

Someone who deliberately damages or disrupts property, plans, or operations to harm an opponent.

sabre

noun

A curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by cavalry.

Sabrina

name

A feminine given name from Celtic legend, tied to a mythical princess said to have given her name to the River Severn.

Saburo

name

A Japanese male given name.

sac

noun

A pouch-like structure in a plant or animal, usually containing fluid.

Sacha

name

A unisex given name from French, equivalent to the English name Sasha.

Sachiko

name

A Japanese female given name.

Sachs

name

A German-origin surname.

sack

noun

A large bag, typically of coarse material, used for carrying or storing bulk goods.

sacked

adj

Dismissed or fired from a job.

sacking

noun

Coarse, rough fabric used to make sacks.

Sacks

name

A surname.

sacrament

noun

A formal religious rite, especially in Christianity, believed to convey divine grace — such as baptism, marriage, or communion.

Sacramento

name

The capital city of California and seat of Sacramento County.

sacred

adj

Regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence.

sacrifice

verb

To offer something, historically an animal, person, or object, to a deity as an act of worship.

sacrificial

adj

Relating to or used in a sacrifice.

sacrilege

noun

A disrespectful or destructive act against something considered sacred.

sacrilegious

adj

Showing gross disrespect toward something regarded as sacred.

sacristy

noun

A room in a church used to store sacred vessels, vestments, and other items, and sometimes for clergy to prepare before services.

sacrosanct

adj

So important, sacred, or protected that it must not be questioned, changed, or interfered with.

sad

adj

Feeling sorrow or unhappiness.

sada

adj

Plain or unseasoned, without added spices or stuffing.

Sadako

name

A Japanese female given name.

Sadat

name

An Arabic surname and male given name, and the name of several places in Iran, India, Pakistan, and Egypt.

Saddam

name

An Arabic male given name, most widely recognized as the first name of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

saddle

noun

A leather seat fitted to the back of a horse or other animal for a rider.

saddled

adj

Fitted with a saddle.

sade

verb

(archaic) To make weary or tired.

sadhu

noun

A Hindu ascetic or holy man who has renounced worldly life to pursue spiritual practice.

Sadie

name

A short, affectionate form of the name Sarah, also popular as a full given name in its own right.

Sadiq

name

An Arabic male given name and surname.

sadism

noun

The tendency to take pleasure in causing pain, suffering, or humiliation to others.

sadist

noun

A person who enjoys causing pain or humiliation to others.

sadistic

adj

Deriving pleasure from causing pain or humiliation to others.

Sadler

name

A surname originally describing someone whose trade was making saddles.

sadly

adv

In a sorrowful manner.

sadness

noun

The state of feeling sad; sorrow.

Sado

name

A city and island in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, and also the name of a river in Portugal.

Saeko

name

A Japanese female given name.

safari

noun

A trip into the wild to observe, photograph, or hunt animals in their natural habitat.

safe

adj

Free from danger, harm, or risk.

safecracker

noun

Someone who breaks into locked safes, typically to steal what is inside.

safeguard

noun

Something put in place to protect against harm or risk.

safeguarding

noun

Policies and practical steps taken to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.

safehouse

noun

A hidden, secure location known only to a trusted few, used to shelter someone in danger.

safekeeping

noun

The act or state of being kept safe from loss, damage, or theft.

safely

adv

Without risk of harm or danger.

safety

noun

The condition of being protected from danger, risk, or harm.

saffron

noun

A prized spice made from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, used for flavor and its deep golden color.

Saffy

name

A pet form of the female names Saffron or Sapphire.

sag

verb

To sink or bend downward in the middle from weight or pressure.

saga

noun

A long traditional story, originally an Old Norse tale of family history, heroism, or legend.

Sagan

noun

An informal, jokey unit of measurement equal to at least four billion.

Sagar

name

A city and district in Madhya Pradesh, India, and also a surname and given name.

Sagara

name

A Japanese surname.

sage

adj

Wise, especially through experience and good judgment.

sagging

adj

Drooping or hanging down loosely, especially from weight or wear.

saggy

adj

Loose, drooping, or sunken from wear, age, or weight.

Sagittarius

name

A zodiac constellation depicted as a centaur archer.

Sahab

name

A municipality located southwest of Amman, Jordan.

Sahara

name

The vast desert covering most of North Africa, the largest hot desert in the world.

sahib

noun

A historical term of respect used in colonial India for a European man of rank or authority.

sai

noun

A traditional three-pronged handheld weapon used in some East Asian martial arts.

said

adj

Previously mentioned; referred to earlier in a document or conversation.

Saigon

name

The former name of Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam.

sail

noun

A large piece of fabric rigged on a boat to catch the wind and drive it forward.

sailboat

noun

A boat that is propelled by one or more sails.

sailed

adj

Having sails, or having the sails raised and set.

sailing

noun

The activity or sport of traveling across water in a wind-powered boat.

sailor

noun

A person who works on or navigates a ship, especially a member of its crew.

sails

noun

Nautical slang for the crew member responsible for a ship's sails, i.e., the sailmaker.

Sainsbury

name

A surname of English origin, most famously attached to the UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's.

saint

noun

A person formally recognized by a church, especially the Catholic Church, as holy after death, often due to a virtuous life or miracles.

sainted

adj

Regarded as holy or saintlike; officially made a saint.

sainthood

noun

The condition or status of being officially recognized as a saint.

saintly

adj

Resembling or befitting a saint; extremely virtuous or patient.

Saints

name

A nickname for certain sports teams, most famously Southampton Football Club and the New Orleans Saints.

Saipan

name

An island in the Pacific and the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands.

sais

noun

A groom or stable hand employed to look after horses, especially in South Asia.

Saitama

name

A prefecture of Japan and the name of its capital city.

Saito

name

A common Japanese surname.

Sajid

name

An Arabic male given name and surname, especially common in Pakistan.

Sakai

noun

A member of a certain people of Malaya.

Sakamoto

name

A Japanese surname meaning "slope base," referring to a location at the foot of a hill.

sake

noun

The purpose, reason, or benefit behind doing something (used in phrases like "for the sake of").

saki

noun

Any of several small South American monkeys known for their bushy, non-grasping tails and large eyes.

sakina

noun

In Islamic teaching, a deep sense of calm or peace believed to come from God, often associated with reciting the Quran.

Saku

name

A masculine given name of Japanese and Finnish origin, and a city in Nagano, Japan.

sakura

noun

The Japanese cherry tree, or its blossom.

Sakurai

name

A Japanese surname meaning "cherry blossom well."

sal

noun

An old or informal word for salt.

sala

noun

A large hall, reception room, or living room, especially in Spanish-speaking or Southeast Asian settings.

salaam

intj

A greeting meaning "peace," used especially among Muslims and in parts of South Asia and the Middle East.

salacious

adj

Deliberately focused on sex in a way that feels crude, gossipy, or designed to titillate rather than inform.

salad

noun

A dish of raw or cold ingredients, usually vegetables, often served with a dressing.

Saladin

name

A masculine given name, most famously that of the 12th-century Muslim sultan who led forces against the Crusaders.

salah

adj

Wrong or incorrect (used in Malay-influenced English).

Salam

name

A given name and surname of Arabic origin, meaning "peace."

Salamanca

name

A historic city in western Spain, known for one of Europe's oldest universities.

salamander

noun

A slender, moist-skinned amphibian that looks a bit like a lizard, typically living in damp or wet habitats.

salami

noun

A type of seasoned, cured sausage of Italian origin, usually sliced thin and served cold.

salary

noun

A fixed regular payment, usually calculated yearly or monthly rather than by the hour, paid to an employee.

Salas

name

A Spanish surname derived from "sala," meaning hall, referring to a large house.

Salazar

name

A Spanish and Portuguese surname, likely meaning "old hall" or "manor."

sale

noun

The act of exchanging goods or services for money.

Saleem

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "safe" or "unharmed," a variant of Salim.

Salem

name

A place name of Hebrew origin meaning "peace," notably a city in Massachusetts known for the 1692 witch trials.

Salerno

name

A coastal city in southern Italy, and a surname derived from it.

Sales

name

An English surname, an occupational name derived from someone who worked in a hall or manor.

salesgirl

noun

A young woman who works selling goods in a shop.

salesman

noun

A man whose job is to sell products, either in a store or by visiting customers.

salesperson

noun

A person, of any gender, whose job is to sell products or services.

saleswoman

noun

A woman whose job is to sell products or services.

Salford

name

A city in Greater Manchester, England, historically known for its industrial docks.

Salgado

name

A Portuguese surname, notably that of Sebastião Salgado, the acclaimed Brazilian photographer.

salient

adj

Most noticeable or important; standing out as especially relevant.

Salih

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "righteous" or "virtuous."

Salim

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "safe" or "peaceful."

Salinas

name

A Spanish surname and place name meaning "salt marshes" or "salt works."

saline

adj

Containing salt, or tasting of it.

Salinger

name

A surname of German Jewish origin, notably that of J.D. Salinger, author of "The Catcher in the Rye."

Salisbury

name

A cathedral city in Wiltshire, England, known for its medieval cathedral and proximity to Stonehenge.

saliva

noun

The watery fluid produced in the mouth that keeps it moist, helps you chew and swallow, and starts breaking down food.

salle

noun

A hall or room used for practising fencing.

Sallie

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Sally, itself derived from Sarah.

sally

noun

A sudden dash out from a defended position to attack, or a similar sudden burst of activity.

Salma

name

A feminine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "peaceful" or "safe."

Salman

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "safe" or "secure."

salmon

noun

A large fish with silvery sides and pink flesh that swims from the sea into rivers to spawn.

salmonella

noun

A type of bacteria that causes food poisoning and typhoid-like illness.

Salome

name

A feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "peace," known from the biblical figure associated with the death of John the Baptist.

Salomon

name

A surname and given name, a variant of Solomon, of Hebrew origin meaning "peace."

salon

noun

A business offering beauty treatments such as hair styling, manicures, or skincare.

salsa

noun

A spicy sauce, usually tomato-based, often used as a dip or topping in Mexican cooking.

salt

noun

A white crystalline substance used to season and preserve food, made mainly of sodium chloride.

salted

adj

Having had salt added, especially as a seasoning or preservative.