English dictionary — definitions & meanings

S and M

noun

Sexual activity involving the deliberate giving and receiving of pain, restraint or humiliation for erotic pleasure, practised between consenting partners.

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.

SaaS

noun

Software that you use over the internet through a browser or app and pay for by subscription, with the provider running and maintaining it rather than you installing it on your own machines.

saba

noun

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

Saban

adj

Relating to the Caribbean island of Saba.

sabbatarian

noun

A person who regards and keeps the seventh day of the week ("Saturday", the Israelite or Jewish Sabbath) as holy in conformity with the fourth commandment of the Decalogue, such as an Orthodox Jew, Seventh-day Adventist, Seventh Day Baptist, a member of the Church of God (Seventh Day); a Sabbath-keeper, a Saturday-keeper.

sabbatarianism

noun

The principles and practices of a Sabbatarian; the observance of the Sabbath, the keeping of the Sabbath.

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.

sabbatism

noun

Strict observance of the Sabbath.

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.

sabot

noun

A wooden shoe.

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.

sabreur

noun

A fencer who fights with a sabre.

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.

saccade

noun

A rapid movement of the eye (either voluntary or involuntary) from one focus to another. (Often described as a jerky movement, but this word denotes all such quick eye movements, which happen continually, not just exaggerated or weird ones, and not nystagmus.)

saccharide

noun

The unit structure of carbohydrates, of general formula CₙH₂ₙOₙ. Either the simple sugars or polymers such as starch and cellulose. The saccharides exist in either a ring or short chain conformation, and typically contain five or six carbon atoms.

saccharify

verb

To convert (soluble polysaccharides) into simple sugars

saccharine

adjective

Sentimental in an exaggerated, sickly way that feels insincere.

saccharinity

noun

The quality of being saccharine: (extreme or excessive) sweetness (literal and figurative senses).

sacerdotal

adj

Of or relating to priests or a high religious order; priestly.

Sacha

name

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

sachem

noun

A chief of one or several Native American tribe(s), especially of the Algonquians; a sagamore.

sachet

noun

A small scented cloth bag filled with fragrant material such as herbs or potpourri.

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.

sackless

adj

Blameless, guiltless, innocent.

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.

sacrate

verb

To consecrate or dedicate

sacred

adj

Regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence.

sacredness

noun

The property of being sacred.

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.

sacristan

noun

The person who maintains the sacristy and the sacred objects it contains.

sacristanry

noun

The duties or position of a sacristan.

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.

sacrum

noun

A large triangular bone at the base of the spine, located between the two ilia (wings of the pelvis) and formed from vertebrae that fuse in adulthood.

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.

saddened

adjective

Made unhappy by something that has happened, especially bad news.

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.

sadomasochism

noun

The practices of sadism and masochism collectively, usually in reference to consensual practices within the BDSM community.

sadomasochist

noun

A person who enjoys both inflicting and receiving pain for sexual gratification.

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.

safe and sound

adjective phrase

Having arrived or come through something without injury or harm, especially after a period of worry or danger.

safe haven

noun

A place where someone threatened, frightened or persecuted can go and be protected from harm.

safebreaker

noun

A person, usually criminal, who breaks into safes; a safecracker.

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.

safflower

noun

A cultivated thistle-like plant, Carthamus tinctorius, family Asteraceae, now grown mainly for its oil.

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.

safranine

noun

any of a class of red to blue azine dyes

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.

sagacious

adj

Having or showing keen discernment, sound judgment, and farsightedness; mentally shrewd.

sagaciously

adv

In a sagacious manner, in a way that is clever, shrewd, observant, keen of intellect or discernment, cunning or with ability and aptitude; sagely.

sagacity

noun

The quality of being sage, wise, or able to make good decisions; the quality of being perceptive, astute or insightful.

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.

sailcloth

noun

A strong, durable fabric suitable for making sails for ships or boats.

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.

sailplane

noun

A glider that is optimised for soaring and is equipped with fixed wings and fuselage.

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.

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.

sakkos

noun

A richly decorated vestment worn by Orthodox bishops, instead of a priest's phelonion (chasuble in western church).

sakti

name

A district of Chhattisgarh, India.

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.

salaciousness

noun

The state or characteristic of being salacious.

salacity

noun

The state or quality of being salacious; lewdness, obscenity, bawdiness.

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.