English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

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.

songer

noun

Someone who sings, especially songs.

songster

noun

A male performer who sings, often for a living.

songstress

noun

A woman who sings.

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.

sonograph

noun

A device used to create sonograms.

sonographer

noun

Another term for an ultrasonographer.

sonographist

noun

Someone who uses a sonograph or reads the sonograms it produces.

sonography

noun

A short form of 'ultrasonography'.

Sonora

name

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

sonorous

adj

Able to produce a deep, rich sound.

sonsy

adj

Lucky and healthy-looking, often on the plump side.

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.

sooky

adj

(informal) Inclined to moan, feel sorry for oneself, or feel jealous.

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.

sooth

noun

The practice of predicting what will happen.

soothe

verb

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

soother

noun

A person or thing that calms or comforts.

soothfast

adj

(archaic) Genuinely true or real.

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.

soothsaying

noun

A way of predicting what will happen in the future.

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.

sophism

noun

The ancient group of Sophists, along with their beliefs and way of teaching philosophy and public speaking.

sophisticate

verb

To make something less natural or innocent; to render it artificial.

sophisticated

adj

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

sophistication

noun

Refined taste, worldly knowledge, or cultured elegance.

sophistry

noun

The behaviour or arguments typical of a sophist.

sophomore

noun

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

sophomoric

adj

Typical of a second-year student.

sophont

noun

An intelligent creature whose baseline reasoning ability is at least equal to that of a human; the term excludes machines unless they possess genuine artificial intelligence rather than simple processing power.

sophy

name

A shortened form of the female forename Sophia.

soporific

noun

Something, often a drug, that makes you feel sleepy.

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").

sorcerous

adj

Connected with magic spells and witchcraft.

sorcery

noun

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

sordid

adj

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

sordidness

noun

The fact of being dirty, immoral, or dishonest.

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.

soreness

noun

A feeling of pain or tenderness in a part of the body.

Sorenson

name

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

sorghum

noun

A tall cereal plant grown for its grain, which is used to make flour or to feed animals.

Soriano

name

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

SORN

noun

In the UK, a formal declaration to the DVLA that a vehicle is off the road and will not be used or parked on a public road, which suspends the requirement to tax and insure it; short for Statutory Off Road Notification.

sororal

adj

Typical of, or connected with, a sister.

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.

sorriness

noun

A feeling of sadness or regret about something.

sorrow

noun

Deep sadness, especially over a loss.

sorrowful

adj

Feeling or showing deep sadness.

sorrowfully

adv

In a sad way, showing grief.

sorrowfulness

noun

A deep feeling of sadness.

sorrowsome

adj

Full of sadness; gloomy and unhappy.

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.

sortilege

noun

The use of magic, especially to make decisions or foretell the future.

sortilegious

adj

Connected with magic used for foretelling or making decisions.

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.

soss

noun

A messy, muddy puddle, or anything dirty and wet.

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.

sotted

adj

In a dazed state, especially from drinking too much alcohol.

sottish

adj

(informal) Drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis.

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.

sough

verb

To make a quiet, whispering sound, like wind moving through trees.

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.

soulscot

noun

Historically, a payment made at a funeral, usually to the local priest who had led the service.

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.

soundless

adj

Making no noise at all.

soundlessly

adv

Without making any sound.

soundlessness

noun

Complete silence; the state of making no sound.

soundly

adverb

Thoroughly and without flaws; completely.

soundness

noun

The state of being healthy, solid, or in good condition.

soundproof

adjective

Built or treated so that sound cannot pass through.

sounds good

phrase

Used to accept a suggestion, plan or arrangement in a relaxed, agreeable way.

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.

souped

adj

(informal) In a difficult or awkward situation.

soupiness

noun

The quality of being thick and wet like soup.

soupspoon

noun

A spoon used for eating soup, with a round bowl, bigger than a dessert spoon but smaller than a tablespoon.

sour

adjective

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

source

noun

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

sourcing

noun

The process of finding and getting hold of something from elsewhere.

sourdough

noun

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

sourhead

noun

A person who is often bad-tempered and negative.

sourness

noun

The quality of being sour, whether in taste or in mood.

sourpuss

noun

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

sourwood

noun

A small North American tree with deeply grooved bark and leaves that taste sour.

Sousa

name

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

souse

noun

Food that has been soaked or preserved in salty liquid.

sousing

noun

The act of soaking or drenching something in liquid.

souteneur

noun

A man who lives off a prostitute's earnings and typically forces them to work; a pimp.

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.

southeastward

adj

Facing or moving towards the southeast.

southerly

noun

A wind blowing from the south.

southern

adjective

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

southerner

noun

An alternative letter-case form of southerner (native or inhabitant of the south of any region).

southlake

name

Non-figurative and non-idiomatic use: see south, lake.

southland

noun

A land or region lying to the south.