English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

sophisticated

adj

Having a lot of worldly experience and refined taste; cultured and knowledgeable.

sophistication

noun

Refined taste, worldly knowledge, or cultured elegance.

sophomore

noun

A student in their second year of high school or university.

soppy

adj

Overly sentimental or emotional, often in a way seen as excessive.

soprano

noun

The highest singing voice, typically sung by women or boys, or a piece written for that range.

sor

noun

Informal shortening of "sorority," or a member of one.

sora

noun

A small, secretive marsh bird (Porzana carolina) found across North, Central, and northern South America, known for its high whinnying call.

Soraya

name

A feminine given name of Persian origin, meaning "star cluster," referring to the Pleiades.

sorbet

noun

A frozen dessert made from sweetened fruit juice or puree, sometimes lightened with egg white, often served between courses of a meal to cleanse the palate.

Sorbonne

name

A historic university in Paris, France, long associated with higher learning.

sorcerer

noun

Someone who practises magic; a wizard.

sorceress

noun

A woman who practises magic, especially one portrayed as glamorous or commanding rather than hag-like (compare "witch").

sorcery

noun

The practice of magic, especially through spells or supernatural power; witchcraft.

sordid

adj

Morally low, distasteful, or shameful; involving dishonesty or vice.

sore

adj

Painful or tender, especially to the touch.

sorely

adv

Very much; to a severe or serious degree — usually paired with something negative or a strong need.

Soren

name

A masculine given name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Latin name Severus.

Sorenson

name

A surname of Scandinavian origin meaning "son of Soren."

Soriano

name

A Spanish and Italian surname, likely derived from the Spanish city of Soria.

sorority

noun

A social organization for female students at a college or university, typically identified by Greek letters.

sorrel

noun

A leafy plant (genus Rumex) with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used in salads or soups.

Sorrento

name

A coastal town in southern Italy, overlooking the Bay of Naples and popular with tourists.

sorrow

noun

Deep sadness, especially over a loss.

sorrowful

adj

Feeling or showing deep sadness.

sorry

adj

Feeling regret or wanting to apologize for something one did.

sort

noun

A particular type or kind of something.

sorta

contraction

Informal spelling representing the casual pronunciation of "sort of," meaning somewhat or kind of.

sorted

adj

Arranged into order.

sortie

noun

A single military flight or mission carried out by an aircraft.

sorting

noun

The act or process of arranging things into order or categories.

sory

noun

A mineral form of green vitriol, or earth naturally mixed with it, once used in dyeing and medicine.

SOS

noun

An international distress signal, traditionally sent in Morse code, used to call for urgent help.

Sosa

name

A Spanish surname, notably borne by the baseball player Sammy Sosa.

sot

noun

An old-fashioned word for a habitual drunkard.

Sotheby

name

An English surname, best known as the name of the famous auction house founded in London.

Soto

noun

A traditional Indonesian soup made from broth, meat, and vegetables.

Sotto

name

An Italian and Filipino surname.

sou

noun

An old French coin of very small value; by extension, a trivial amount of money.

souffle

noun

A soft, blowing or murmuring sound, especially one heard through a stethoscope.

soul

noun

The spiritual or immaterial part of a person, often believed to continue after death.

soulful

adj

Expressing deep feeling or emotion.

soulless

adj

Lacking warmth, feeling, or character; mechanical or cold.

soulmate

noun

A person, especially a romantic partner, with whom one shares a deep, natural understanding or connection.

sound

noun

A sensation perceived by the ear, caused by vibrations traveling through air or another medium.

sounder

noun

A device used to detect or measure depth, such as at sea.

sounding

adjective

Producing or giving off sound.

soundly

adverb

Thoroughly and without flaws; completely.

soundproof

adjective

Built or treated so that sound cannot pass through.

soundtrack

noun

The music and sound recorded for a film, show, or game.

soup

noun

A liquid dish made by cooking meat, vegetables, or other ingredients in stock or water.

sour

adjective

Having a sharp, acidic taste, like lemon or vinegar.

source

noun

The place, person, or thing that something originates from.

sourdough

noun

Bread made using a fermented dough starter instead of commercial yeast, giving it a tangy flavor.

sourpuss

noun

A person who is usually grumpy, gloomy, or scowling.

Sousa

name

A Portuguese surname, notably borne by the American composer John Philip Sousa.

south

noun

The compass direction opposite north.

Southall

name

An English surname and a district of West London.

Southampton

name

A port city on the south coast of England, known for its maritime history.

southbound

adjective

Traveling or leading toward the south.

southeast

noun

The direction exactly between south and east.

southeastern

adjective

Of, in, or relating to the southeast.

southerly

noun

A wind blowing from the south.

southern

adjective

Located in, belonging to, or characteristic of the south.

southland

noun

A land or region lying to the south.

southpaw

noun

A left-handed person, especially an athlete such as a boxer or pitcher.

southside

noun

The southern part of a town, street, or building.

southwest

noun

The direction exactly between south and west.

southwestern

adjective

Of, in, or relating to the southwest.

souvenir

noun

An object kept as a reminder of a place, event, or trip.

Souza

name

A Portuguese surname, a variant spelling of Sousa.

sovereign

adjective

Having supreme power or independent authority.

sovereignty

noun

Supreme authority, especially the power of a nation to govern itself without outside control.

soviet

noun

An elected council that formed the basic unit of government in the former Soviet Union.

Sow

noun

An adult female pig, especially one that has had a litter.

sowing

noun

The act of planting seeds.

sown

adjective

Planted with seed; describing land that has had seed scattered on it.

Sox

noun

An informal or trademark spelling of "socks," best known from baseball team names.

soy

noun

A salty sauce made by fermenting soybeans, used widely in East Asian cooking.

soybean

noun

A legume plant grown widely for its protein-rich seeds, used for food, oil, and animal feed.

Soyuz

noun

A Russian (originally Soviet) series of spacecraft and rockets used to carry crews to orbit and to the International Space Station.

Sp

noun

A common written abbreviation for "spelling," used to flag a misspelled word, or for "species" in scientific names.

spa

noun

A resort or facility offering mineral baths, hot tubs, or treatments for relaxation and health.

space

noun

The vast expanse beyond Earth's atmosphere where stars, planets, and other celestial bodies exist.

spacecraft

noun

A vehicle designed to travel through space.

spaceman

noun

An astronaut, or informally, an alien from outer space.

spaceport

noun

A facility used for launching or landing spacecraft.

spaceship

noun

A crewed vehicle designed to travel through outer space.

spacing

noun

The amount of space left between objects, letters, or lines.

spacious

adjective

Having plenty of room; roomy.

spade

noun

A hand tool with a flat blade and a handle, used for digging.

spades

noun

The suit of playing cards marked with the black ♠ symbol.

spaghetti

noun

Long, thin strands of pasta, or a dish made from them.

Spain

proper noun

A country in southern Europe occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula, with Madrid as its capital.

spake

verb

An old-fashioned or literary past tense of "speak."

Spalding

name

An English surname and place name, also a well-known American sporting goods brand.

spam

noun

Unwanted, unsolicited messages sent in bulk, especially by email.

span

noun

The distance or length between two points, edges, or supports.

spandex

noun

A stretchy synthetic fabric prized for its elasticity.

spangler

noun

Someone or something that spangles — that is, decorates something with small sparkling ornaments.

Spaniard

noun

A person from Spain, or a native of the Spanish ethnic group centered on Iberia.

spaniel

noun

A type of gun dog with a broad muzzle, long wavy fur, and drooping ears, traditionally bred for hunting.

Spanish

adjective

Relating to Spain, its people, or its culture.

spank

verb

To strike someone, usually a child, on the buttocks with an open hand as punishment.

spanking

noun

A punishment involving smacking someone, usually a child, on the buttocks.

spanky

adjective

Impressively new or sharp-looking (informal), as in "brand spanky new."

spanner

noun

A hand tool used to grip and turn nuts and bolts (called a "wrench" in American English).

spanning

noun

The act of extending or stretching across something.

spar

noun

A strong pole used as a mast, boom, or similar support on a ship or aircraft.

spare

adjective

Extra; kept in reserve in case it is needed.

sparing

adjective

Careful and restrained, especially in the amount of something used.

spark

noun

A small glowing particle thrown off by fire, friction, or an electrical discharge.

sparked

adjective

Having triggered or set something off.

sparking

noun

The act or process of giving off sparks.

sparkle

noun

A small flash of light, or a general quality of shining brightness.

sparkler

noun

A hand-held firework stick that gives off bright showers of sparks.

sparkling

adjective

Reflecting light in bright little flashes.

sparkly

adjective

Giving off small glittering flashes of light.

sparks

noun

An informal name for an electrician or a ship's radio operator.

Sparky

adjective

Lively, energetic, and full of spirit.

sparring

noun

Practice fighting or boxing, usually without full force, used for training.

sparrow

noun

A small, brownish-grey songbird common in towns and gardens.

sparse

adjective

Thinly spread out or scattered, with a lot of empty space in between.

Sparta

noun

A powerful city-state of ancient Greece, famous for its harsh military discipline and its warrior culture.

Spartacus

noun

A Thracian gladiator who led a major slave rebellion against the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC.

spartan

adjective

Extremely plain, strict, or self-disciplined, with no luxury or comfort.

spasm

noun

A sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle or group of muscles.

spastic

adj

Relating to muscle spasms or a condition causing stiff, jerky movement.

spat

noun

A brief, minor argument or quarrel.

spate

noun

A sudden rush or outpouring of something, especially a large number of events happening close together.

spatial

adj

Relating to space, position, area, or the way things are arranged in relation to one another.

spats

noun

Short cloth or leather coverings worn over the top of a shoe and ankle, historically for style or protection.

spatter

verb

To splash small drops of a liquid onto someone or something.

spatula

noun

A flat-bladed kitchen tool with a long handle, used for flipping, lifting, or spreading food.

Spaulding

name

An English surname, a variant spelling of Spalding.

spawn

verb

Of fish, frogs, or other aquatic creatures, to lay eggs in water.

spawning

noun

The act or process of laying eggs, especially by fish or amphibians.

spaz

noun

An informal, often offensive term for a clumsy or awkward person.

speak

verb

To say words out loud; to talk.

speakeasy

noun

An illegal bar, especially one operating secretly during America's Prohibition era in the 1920s.

speaker

noun

A device that converts electrical signals into sound.

speakerphone

noun

A telephone feature or device that lets you talk hands-free through a built-in microphone and loudspeaker.

speaking

noun

The act of talking or communicating with one's voice.

spear

noun

A weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp point, used for thrusting or throwing.

spearhead

noun

The pointed tip of a spear.

Spears

noun

Plural of spear: long pointed weapons or thin cut pieces of vegetable.

spec

noun

A detailed technical requirement or description of something, short for "specification."

special

adj

Different from what is usual or ordinary in a valued way.

specialist

noun

Someone with deep expertise in one particular field or subject.

specialize

verb

To focus one's study, work, or business on a particular area rather than a broad range.

specialized

adj

Designed for or skilled in one particular purpose or area, rather than general use.