English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

sum

noun

The total obtained by adding numbers or quantities together.

Suma

name

A feminine given name used in various cultures, and a district of Kobe, Japan.

suman

noun

A Filipino rice cake made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, typically wrapped in a leaf.

Sumatra

noun

A large island in western Indonesia, one of the biggest islands in the world.

Sumerian

adjective

Relating to Sumer, the ancient civilization of southern Mesopotamia.

sumi

noun

A solid stick of Japanese ink, ground with water and used for calligraphy or painting.

Sumida

name

A Japanese surname and place name, notably a ward and river in Tokyo.

summa

noun

A large, comprehensive work that pulls together everything known on a subject, especially theology or philosophy.

summarize

verb

To reduce a longer piece of writing or speech down to its essential points.

summary

noun

A short version of a longer text that covers only the main points.

summary email

noun

An email that condenses recent news, activity or updates into a single short overview, rather than sending each item separately.

summat

pron

A dialect word for "something," used mainly in northern England.

summation

noun

A final overview that pulls everything together; a summing-up.

summer

noun

The warmest season of the year, between spring and autumn.

summerhouse

noun

A small garden building where people sit and relax in warm weather.

Summerlee

name

A surname and fictional character name, notably Professor Summerlee in Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World."

summers

adv

During the summer, especially as a repeated habit.

summertime

noun

The summer season, thought of as a stretch of time.

summing

noun

The act of adding numbers or ideas together to reach a total or conclusion.

summit

noun

The highest point of a mountain or hill.

summon

verb

To officially call people to come together or appear somewhere.

summoning

noun

The act of formally calling someone to appear, or of calling something into being.

summons

noun

A formal order to appear somewhere, especially in court.

Sumner

name

An English surname, historically an occupational name for a summoner, an officer who called people to court.

sumo

noun

A Japanese style of wrestling in which two large wrestlers try to force each other out of a ring or make them touch the ground.

sump

noun

A pit or low point where liquid collects and drains away.

sumptuous

adj

Lavish, luxurious, and clearly expensive.

sun

noun

The star at the centre of our solar system, which gives Earth light and heat.

sunbae

noun

In Korean culture, someone senior to you — an older classmate, colleague, or more experienced person in your field.

sunbathe

verb

To lie or sit outside deliberately exposing your skin to sunlight, usually to get a tan.

sunbathing

noun

The activity of lying outdoors in the sun, often with minimal clothing, to get a tan.

sunbeam

noun

A single visible ray of sunlight.

sunblock

noun

A cream or lotion, usually with a high protection factor, that shields skin from sunburn.

sunburn

noun

Red, sore skin caused by too much time in the sun.

sunburst

noun

A pattern or design showing rays spreading out from a central point.

sundae

noun

A dessert of ice cream topped with things like syrup, fruit, or nuts.

sundance

noun

A ceremonial dance performed in various Native American traditions, involving song, prayer, and ritual dancing.

Sundar

name

A surname, notably borne by tech executive Sundar Pichai.

Sunday

noun

The day of the week that follows Saturday, traditionally a day of rest or worship in Christian countries.

Sundays

adv

On Sundays, as a regular habit.

sunder

verb

To split something apart, especially violently or completely.

Sunderland

name

A city in North East England, on the coast of Tyne and Wear.

sundial

noun

A device that tells the time by the shadow a rod or plate casts as the sun moves.

sundown

noun

The moment the sun sets; sunset.

sundry

adj

Various and of different kinds; miscellaneous.

sunflower

noun

A tall plant with a large, round flower head of yellow petals around a dark centre, grown for its seeds and oil.

Sung

verb

Past participle of sing.

sunglasses

noun

Glasses with tinted lenses worn to protect the eyes from bright sunlight.

Sunil

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "dark blue."

Sunita

name

A feminine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "well-behaved" or "of good conduct."

sunken

adj

Pushed down below the surrounding surface, or dragged underwater.

sunlight

noun

The light that comes from the sun.

Sunni

adj

Belonging to the largest branch of Islam, which follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the recorded practices of the Prophet Muhammad).

sunny

adj

Bright with sunshine; having clear, sunlit weather.

Sunnyvale

name

A city in California's Silicon Valley, known as a hub for technology companies.

sunrise

noun

The moment the sun comes up over the horizon in the morning.

sunroof

noun

A panel in a car roof that can be opened to let in air and light.

Suns

name

A short form used as a nickname or team name, most notably for the Phoenix Suns basketball team.

sunscreen

noun

A lotion or cream applied to the skin to block harmful sun rays and prevent sunburn.

sunset

noun

The moment the sun goes down below the horizon in the evening.

sunshine

noun

Sunlight, especially warm and pleasant daylight.

sunstroke

noun

A serious illness caused by spending too long in strong sun, marked by fever, dizziness, and collapse.

suntan

noun

A darkening of the skin from being in the sun.

sunup

noun

Sunrise; the time the sun comes up.

sup

verb

To eat an evening meal, or to drink something in small sips.

super

adj

Excellent; wonderful; better than average.

superb

adj

Excellent; of the highest quality.

superbly

adv

In an excellent or outstanding way.

superboy

noun

A boy who is remarkably talented or capable, often used loosely or admiringly.

supercar

noun

An extremely fast, expensive, and exclusive sports car.

supercharged

adj

Fitted with a supercharger, a device that forces extra air into an engine to boost its power.

supercomputer

noun

A computer far more powerful than typical machines of its time, used for massive calculations.

superficial

adj

Existing only on the surface, not deep or serious.

superfluous

adj

More than is needed; unnecessary or excess.

supergirl

noun

A girl or young woman who achieves remarkable success or shows exceptional talent.

superglue

noun

A very strong, fast-setting adhesive, usually cyanoacrylate.

superheated

adj

Heated to a temperature above the normal boiling point without turning to vapour.

superhero

noun

A fictional character with extraordinary powers who fights crime or evil.

superhuman

adj

Beyond ordinary human ability or strength.

superintendent

noun

A person who supervises or manages an organisation, department, or building.

superior

adj

Higher in rank, quality, or status than another.

superiority

noun

The state or quality of being better, higher-ranking, or more advanced than others.

superman

noun

A man with extraordinary or seemingly superhuman abilities.

supermarket

noun

A large self-service shop selling food and household goods.

supermassive

adj

Extremely large in mass, especially describing black holes.

supermax

noun

A prison with the strictest, highest level of security.

supermodel

noun

A famous, highly paid fashion model.

supernatural

adj

Beyond what can be explained by the laws of nature, often attributed to spirits, gods, or magic.

supernova

noun

A massive star that explodes in a huge burst of brightness, leaving behind a neutron star, a black hole, or nothing at all.

superpower

noun

A nation with enormous global influence and military strength.

supersonic

adj

Faster than the speed of sound.

superstar

noun

Someone extremely famous; a top-tier celebrity.

superstition

noun

A belief in supernatural forces or luck that isn't based on evidence or reason.

superstitious

adj

Believing in superstitions, especially about luck or omens.

supervillain

noun

A powerful, often supernaturally-abled criminal who serves as the main antagonist to a superhero.

supervise

verb

To oversee and direct people or a task.

supervised

adj

Carried out under someone's watchful oversight.

supervision

noun

The act of overseeing or directing work or people.

supervisor

noun

A person officially responsible for overseeing someone's work.

supervisory

adj

Relating to the role of supervising others.

supper

noun

A light meal eaten in the evening, sometimes shortly before bed.

suppertime

noun

The time in the evening when supper is eaten.

supple

adj

Bending easily; flexible.

supplement

noun

Something added to make up for what's missing.

supplemental

adj

Serving to supplement something; additional.

supplementary

adj

Added to provide something extra that was needed.

supplier

noun

A person or company that provides goods or materials.

supply

verb

To provide something needed.

support

verb

To hold something up or keep it from falling.

supported

adj

Held up, backed, or helped in some way.

supporting

adj

Providing help or a secondary role.

supportive

adj

Giving encouragement, help, or approval.

suppose

verb

To assume or believe something without full proof.

supposed

adj

Assumed or claimed to be true, though not confirmed.

supposedly

adv

According to what is claimed or believed, though not necessarily true.

supposing

conj

Used to introduce a hypothetical situation, meaning "if."

supposition

noun

An assumption made without full proof.

suppository

noun

A solid form of medicine inserted into the body, usually the rectum, where it dissolves.

suppress

verb

To forcibly put an end to something, such as a rebellion or protest.

suppressing

noun

The act of forcefully holding something back or putting a stop to it.

suppression

noun

The act of forcefully putting an end to something.

supremacy

noun

The state of having power or authority over all others.

supreme

adj

Having the highest power or authority; dominant over all others.

supremely

adv

To the highest possible degree.

sura

noun

A chapter of the Quran (one of 114).

Suraj

name

A male given name of Hindi origin, meaning "sun," used mainly by Hindus.

sure

adj

Certain or confident about something.

surely

adv

Without doubt; certainly.

Suresh

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "ruler of the gods," an epithet of Indra.

surety

noun

A guarantee or promise, especially one to cover someone else's debt or obligation if they fail to pay it.

surf

noun

The foamy waves that break along a shoreline.

surface

noun

The outer or top layer of something.

surfaced

adj

Finished with a particular kind of outer layer or texture.

surfacing

noun

The material used to cover and finish an outer layer, such as a road or floor.

surfboard

noun

A long, buoyant board used for riding waves while standing.

surfer

noun

Someone who rides waves on a surfboard.

Surfers

name

Short form of Surfers Paradise, a popular beach resort suburb on Australia's Gold Coast.

surfing

noun

The sport of riding ocean waves on a board.

surge

noun

A sudden, powerful increase or rush.

surgeon

noun

A doctor who performs operations involving cutting into the body.

surgery

noun

A medical operation that involves cutting into the body to treat an illness or injury.

surgical

adj

Relating to or used in surgery.

surgically

adv

By means of surgery, or with extreme precision.

surging

noun

The act of rising or increasing suddenly and powerfully.

Suri

name

A feminine given name used in several cultures, including as a short form derived from Hebrew "Sarah."

surly

adj

Bad-tempered, unfriendly, and rude in manner.

surmise

verb

To guess or conclude something without solid proof.

surname

noun

A person's family name, usually shared with relatives and passed down through generations.

surpass

verb

To do better than, or go beyond, someone or something.

surplus

noun

An amount left over after what is needed has been used; an excess.