English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

sobriety

noun

The state of not being drunk or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

soc

noun

Informal short form of "sociology" or "social science," especially as a school or university subject.

soccer

noun

Association football, the sport played with a round ball moved mainly by kicking, not touched by hand except by the goalkeeper.

sociable

adj

Enjoying the company of others and easy to talk to; friendly.

social

adj

Relating to society, communities, or how people interact with each other.

socialism

noun

A political and economic system in which the means of production, distribution, and wealth are owned or controlled collectively, often by the state, rather than by private individuals.

socialist

adj

Relating to or supporting socialism.

socialite

noun

A person well known for attending fashionable parties and mixing in high society, often covered by the media.

socialize

verb

To spend time with others in a friendly, informal way.

socializing

noun

The activity of spending time with other people in a friendly way.

socially

adv

In a friendly, informal way, in the context of social interaction.

societal

adj

Relating to society as a whole and its structures, norms, or customs.

society

noun

A large group of people who share a culture, laws, and way of life, typically within a country or region.

sociological

adj

Relating to sociology, the study of society and social behavior.

sociology

noun

The academic study of society, human social behavior, and the relationships and institutions people form.

sociopath

noun

A person with an antisocial personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy and disregard for others' rights.

sociopathic

adj

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

sock

noun

A knitted covering for the foot and lower leg, worn inside a shoe.

socked

adj

Wearing socks, especially without shoes.

socket

noun

A hollow opening designed to hold or receive a matching part, such as an electrical plug or a light bulb.

Socks

name

A common informal pet name, especially for a cat with white-colored paws.

SoCo

name

A short form or nickname, and the name of a town in North Carolina.

Socrates

name

A masculine given name of Greek origin, most famously borne by the classical Athenian philosopher.

sod

noun

A layer of grass-covered soil held together by roots; turf.

soda

noun

A sweet carbonated soft drink.

sodding

adjective

British slang used to add emphasis, usually showing annoyance or frustration, similar to "bloody" or "damn".

sodium

noun

A soft, silvery, highly reactive chemical element (symbol Na) that never occurs alone in nature.

Sodom

name

A city described in the Bible as destroyed, along with Gomorrah, as divine punishment for the wickedness of its people.

sodomy

noun

A legal and historical term for anal or oral sex, sometimes also used for bestiality; historically used to criminalize homosexual acts.

soe

noun

A large wooden tub or vessel for hauling water, traditionally slung on a pole and carried between two people.

sofa

noun

A long upholstered seat with a back and arms, meant for two or more people.

Sofia

name

A feminine given name of Greek origin meaning "wisdom," also the name of the capital city of Bulgaria.

soft

adj

Giving way easily under pressure; not hard or firm.

softball

noun

A team sport similar to baseball, played with a larger, softer ball.

soften

verb

To make something soft or softer, or to become soft.

softened

adjective

Made less hard, harsh, or intense.

softener

noun

A substance or device used to make something less hard, rough, or harsh — such as hard water or fabric.

softening

noun

The process of becoming, or making something, less hard, harsh, or severe.

Softie

noun

Informal slang for a Microsoft employee.

softly

adverb

In a gentle or quiet way; without force or loudness.

softness

noun

The quality of being soft, gentle, or yielding to pressure.

software

noun

Programs and coded instructions that run on a computer, as opposed to the physical hardware.

softy

noun

A person who is easily moved, overly kind, or reluctant to be strict.

soggy

adjective

Thoroughly wet and soft, often unpleasantly so.

Soho

proper noun

A well-known entertainment and nightlife district in central London.

soil

noun

The loose top layer of earth in which plants grow, made up of minerals, organic matter, and nutrients.

soiled

adjective

Dirty or stained.

soiree

noun

A formal party or gathering held in the evening.

soju

noun

A clear, distilled Korean alcoholic drink, similar to vodka but typically lower in alcohol.

sol

noun

In solfège (do-re-mi), the fifth note of the musical scale, also known as "so" or "G."

solace

noun

Comfort received during a time of grief, loneliness, or distress.

Solana

proper noun

A surname of Spanish origin.

Solano

noun

A hot, dry easterly wind that blows across parts of Spain and the western Mediterranean.

solar

adjective

Relating to, coming from, or powered by the sun.

solarium

noun

A room or enclosed area designed to let in plenty of sunlight, sometimes used for tanning.

sold

adjective

Given up in exchange for money; also used informally to mean fully convinced or persuaded.

soldering

noun

The process of joining two pieces of metal by melting a filler metal between them.

soldier

noun

A person who serves in an army, especially one who is not an officer.

soldiering

noun

Serving as a soldier; the work and life of military service.

sole

adjective

Being the only one; single, exclusive.

Soledad

proper noun

A city in Monterey County, California, named after a Spanish mission.

soleil

noun

The French word for "sun," sometimes used in English contexts related to French culture or fashion.

solely

adverb

Only, exclusively, and nothing more.

solemn

adjective

Deeply serious, dignified, and free of humor, especially in formal or ceremonial settings.

solemnly

adverb

In a serious and dignified manner.

solicit

verb

To ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally.

solicitation

noun

The act of asking for something, such as money, support, or business.

soliciting

noun

The act of asking for money, business, or, illegally, for paid sex.

solicitor

noun

In the UK and similar legal systems, a lawyer who advises clients and handles legal paperwork, as distinct from a barrister who argues cases in court.

solid

adjective

Firm and stable in structure; not liquid or gas.

solidarity

noun

Unity and mutual support among people who share a common goal, cause, or hardship.

solidify

verb

To become solid, or to make something firm and solid.

solidly

adverb

In a firm, sturdy, or dependable way.

Solis

proper noun

A surname of Spanish origin.

solitaire

noun

A card game played by one person alone.

solitary

adjective

Alone; without any companions present.

solitude

noun

The state of being alone, whether by choice or circumstance.

Solloway

name

An English surname, likely derived from a place name.

solo

noun

A piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician.

soloist

noun

A musician who performs a solo, or who mainly performs alone rather than as part of a group.

Solomon

name

A king of ancient Israel renowned in the Bible and Quran for his exceptional wisdom, and the son of King David.

solon

noun

A wise, skilled lawmaker; more loosely, any legislator or politician (often used with a hint of irony).

Solovyov

name

A Russian surname derived from "solovey," meaning "nightingale."

solstice

noun

Either of the two days each year when the sun reaches its furthest point north or south of the equator, giving the longest or shortest day of the year.

solution

noun

An answer to a problem or a way of resolving a difficulty.

solve

verb

To find the answer to a problem, puzzle, or question.

solved

adjective

Having been worked out, answered, or explained.

solvent

noun

A liquid that dissolves another substance to form a solution.

solver

noun

A person or program that works out the answer to a problem.

som

noun

The basic unit of currency in Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan.

soma

noun

The whole physical body of an organism, as opposed to the mind or soul.

Somali

name

A Cushitic language spoken mainly in Somalia and nearby parts of the Horn of Africa.

Somalia

name

A country in the Horn of Africa, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, with its capital at Mogadishu.

sombre

adjective

Dark, dim, or lacking in brightness.

sombrero

noun

A hat with a very wide brim and tall crown, traditionally worn in Mexico for protection from the sun.

some

determiner

An unspecified but limited amount or number of something.

somebody

pronoun

An unspecified or unknown person.

someday

adverb

At an unspecified time in the future.

somehow

adverb

By some means not specified or fully understood.

someone

pronoun

An unspecified or unidentified person.

someplace

adverb

To or in an unspecified place; somewhere.

Somers

name

An English surname derived from a place name or occupational term for a summer worker.

somersault

noun

A full 360-degree roll of the body, forwards or backwards, either in the air or on the ground, so the feet pass over the head.

Somerset

name

A county in South West England, also used as a given name or surname.

something

pronoun

An unspecified or unknown thing.

sometime

adverb

At an unspecified point in the past or future.

sometimes

adverb

On certain occasions but not always.

someway

adverb

In some way; somehow.

somewhat

adverb

To a limited or moderate degree; not completely.

somewhere

adverb

At, in, or to an unspecified or unknown place.

somewheres

adverb

A dialectal or informal form of "somewhere".

Somme

name

A river in northern France, historically significant as the site of a major First World War battle.

sommelier

noun

A trained wine expert at a restaurant who manages the wine list and advises diners on their choice.

Sommer

name

A surname of German origin, from the word for "summer."

son

noun

A person's male child.

Sona

name

A feminine given name used in South Asian and other cultures, often a short form of names like Sonia.

sonar

noun

A method of locating objects underwater by sending out sound waves and reading the echoes that bounce back.

sonata

noun

A piece of instrumental music, often for piano or piano with one other instrument, written in several contrasting movements.

Sondra

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Sandra.

Sone

noun

A devoted fan of the K-pop girl group Girls' Generation.

song

noun

A short piece of music with words, meant to be sung.

songbird

noun

A bird known for its pleasant, musical call, especially one of the many perching bird species with complex vocal abilities.

songwriter

noun

Someone who writes songs, whether the lyrics, the melody, or both.

songwriting

noun

The craft of writing songs — creating lyrics, melodies, or both.

Soni

name

A surname and given name found in South Asian cultures, and an informal short form of Sonia or Sonya.

Sonia

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Sophia, meaning "wisdom."

sonic

adj

Relating to sound or sound waves.

Sonja

name

A feminine given name, a Scandinavian variant of Sonia.

sonnet

noun

A fourteen-line poem, traditionally in iambic rhythm and following one of a few set rhyme patterns.

sonny

noun

An informal, friendly way of addressing a young boy.

sonogram

noun

An image produced by ultrasound, especially one used to view a fetus during pregnancy.

Sonora

name

A state in northwestern Mexico, on the US border, known for its desert landscape.

sontag

noun

A knitted woollen jacket or shawl that fastens at the waist, once worn by women over a dress.

Sony

noun

A device or product made by the Japanese electronics company Sony.

Sonya

name

A female given name, a Russian pet form of Sofia/Sophia.

soo

adverb

An informal, stretched-out way of writing "so" for emphasis, mainly in casual or online writing.

sook

noun

(Australian/New Zealand, informal) Someone seen as overly sensitive, whiny, or easily upset; a crybaby.

Sookie

name

An informal feminine given name, notably borne by a character in the "Southern Vampire Mysteries" novels and their TV adaptation.

soon

adv

In a short time from now; before long.

Sooner

noun

A native or resident of the US state of Oklahoma, or someone associated with the University of Oklahoma.

Soong

name

A Chinese surname, a variant romanization of Song.

sooo

adv

An informal, stretched-out spelling of "so," used in writing to show extra emphasis.

soot

noun

The fine black powder left behind when coal, wood, or oil burns incompletely.

soothe

verb

To calm someone down or make a painful or unpleasant feeling less intense.

soothing

adj

Having a calming, comforting effect.

soothsayer

noun

A person believed to be able to predict the future, especially through intuition or supposed magical insight.

sop

verb

To dip or soak something, especially bread, in a liquid.

Soph

name

An informal short form of the name Sophie or Sophia.

Sophia

name

A female given name, from the Greek word for "wisdom."

Sophie

name

A female given name, the French form of Sophia.