English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

spectator

noun

Someone who watches an event without taking part in it.

specter

noun

A ghostly figure or apparition; a phantom.

Spector

name

A surname of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, an occupational name related to inspecting or overseeing.

spectral

adj

Relating to ghosts or spirits; ghostly.

spectre

noun

A ghost or ghostly apparition; also, a looming threat or worry that haunts a situation.

spectrometer

noun

A scientific instrument that measures how a substance absorbs or emits light across different wavelengths, used to identify what the substance is made of.

spectroscope

noun

An optical instrument used to analyse light by splitting it into its separate wavelengths.

spectrum

noun

A continuous range between two extremes.

speculate

verb

To guess or form a theory about something without having solid proof.

speculating

verb

Forming a guess or theory about something without having all the facts.

speculation

noun

A guess or theory formed without firm evidence.

speculative

adj

Based on guesswork or unproven theory rather than solid fact.

speculativity

noun

The property of being speculative.

speculator

noun

A person who watches and thinks deeply about something; an observer.

sped

verb

Past tense of "speed": moved quickly, or increased in speed.

speech

noun

The ability to speak, or spoken language in general.

speechcraft

noun

The skill or study of speaking or of language itself.

speechify

verb

(informal) To make a speech, especially one that goes on too long and sounds self-important.

speechless

adj

Unable to speak, especially because of shock, surprise, or strong emotion.

speed

noun

How fast something moves, or the rate at which something happens.

speedboat

noun

A small, fast motorboat.

speeded

adj

Rated or measured according to how fast it goes.

speeder

noun

Someone who speeds, that is, drives faster than the highest speed the law allows.

speedily

adv

Quickly; without delay.

speeding

noun

Driving faster than the legal speed limit.

speedless

adj

(archaic) Unlucky or unsuccessful; lacking prosperity.

speedo

noun

An informal, shortened term for a speedometer, the dial that shows how fast a vehicle is going.

speedometer

noun

A dashboard instrument that shows how fast a vehicle is currently traveling.

speedster

noun

Someone (or something) known for being very fast, especially a fast driver or racing vehicle.

speedway

noun

A racetrack built for motor sports, or a form of motorcycle racing on flat dirt oval tracks.

speedwell

noun

A plant belonging to the genus Veronica.

speedy

adj

Happening or moving quickly.

Speer

verb

A dialect word, mainly Scottish and northern English, meaning to ask or inquire.

spelk

noun

(dialect) A small splinter, usually made of wood.

spell

noun

Words believed to have magical power, or the magical effect they produce.

spellbind

verb

To put someone under a magic spell; to enchant them.

spellbinder

noun

Something so fascinating that it holds your attention completely.

spellbinding

adj

So fascinating that it completely holds your attention.

spellbound

adj

So fascinated or captivated that you can't look away, as if under a magic spell.

spellcast

verb

To perform a magic spell.

spellcaster

noun

A person who casts magic spells; a magician or sorcerer.

spellcasting

noun

The act of casting magic spells.

spellcraft

noun

Magical skills and practices used to cast spells.

spelling

noun

The act or skill of putting letters in the correct order to form words.

spellmaker

noun

A person who creates magic spells.

Spellman

name

An English surname, likely an occupational name related to preaching or storytelling.

spellwork

noun

Magical work that involves making or casting spells, especially complicated new ones.

spelt

noun

An ancient variety of wheat, sometimes used as a health-conscious alternative in bread and flour.

Spence

noun

A small pantry or storeroom used for keeping food and household supplies, chiefly in older British homes.

spencer

noun

A short, close-fitting jacket, historically worn by men in the 18th century and later by women and children in the early 19th century.

spend

verb

To pay out money in exchange for something.

spender

noun

A person who spends money, especially in a described way (e.g., freely or carefully).

spending

noun

The amount of money paid out by a person, business or government, considered as an activity or total.

spendthrift

adj

Careless with money; wasteful.

spenny

name

A diminutive of the male given name Spencer.

Spenser

name

An English surname and occasional given name, an occupational name for a dispenser of provisions, notably borne by the poet Edmund Spenser.

spent

adj

Used up completely; exhausted or depleted.

sperm

noun

The male reproductive cell.

spermatheca

noun

(biology) A small sac in the reproductive system of some female invertebrates, like insects, that holds sperm until it fertilises eggs.

spermatozoon

noun

A male sex cell, found in semen, that fertilises an egg to make a new embryo.

spermophile

noun

A small burrowing rodent that lives on the ground, also called a ground squirrel.

spew

verb

To eject or gush out forcefully in a stream.

spewing

verb

Forcefully discharging or gushing something out, often in large or messy quantities.

spewy

adj

Feeling sick, as if you might vomit.

SPF

noun

A number printed on sunscreen that indicates how much protection the product gives against UVB, the band of ultraviolet light chiefly responsible for sunburn. It is measured by comparing how long treated skin takes to redden with how long untreated skin takes.

sphacelus

noun

A part of the body affected by gangrene.

sphere

noun

A perfectly round, three-dimensional shape, like a ball.

spherical

adj

Shaped like a sphere; round in three dimensions.

sphincter

noun

A ring of muscle around a body opening that tightens or relaxes to control what passes through it.

sphingian

adj

Connected with the Sphinx.

sphingine

noun

A chemical compound related to sphingosine, or any similar amino alcohol.

sphinx

noun

A mythical creature with a human head and a lion's body, most famously the giant statue near Egypt's Great Pyramids.

spice

noun

A dried plant substance, such as pepper or cinnamon, used to flavor food.

spiceberry

noun

A small flowering plant, native to East Asia, known scientifically as Ardisia crenata.

spiced

adjective

Seasoned with spice; having a spicy flavor.

spicer

noun

Someone who deals in or sells spices, or something that adds excitement to a situation.

spick and span

adjective

Completely clean, tidy and fresh-looking, with nothing out of place.

spicy

adjective

Containing spices, or producing a hot, burning sensation on the tongue (usually from chili).

spider

noun

An eight-legged creature, many of which spin webs to catch insects.

spiderman

noun

Informally, someone who climbs buildings, towers, or structures without safety equipment.

spiderweb

noun

The net of sticky strands that a spider spins to catch its prey.

Spidey

noun

An informal nickname for Spider-Man, or casually, a spider.

spiel

noun

A long, often rehearsed talk meant to persuade someone, especially in sales.

Spielberg

name

A German-origin surname, also the name of a town in Austria.

spieler

noun

(informal) A person who cheats others, especially in gambling.

spiff

adj

(informal) Neat, well-dressed and good-looking.

spiffed

adj

(informal) Drunk.

spiffing

adj

(informal, dated) Excellent; wonderful.

spiffy

adjective

Smart, neat, and stylish in appearance.

spigot

noun

A small peg used to plug the air hole in a barrel.

spike

noun

A large, pointed piece of metal, or anything shaped like one.

spiked

adjective

Containing added alcohol or drugs, usually without the drinker's knowledge.

spikelet

noun

A small spike, especially one of several forming the flower cluster of a grass or sedge.

spikes

noun

Athletic shoes fitted with small metal points on the sole for extra grip, especially in track events.

spiking

noun

The act of secretly adding alcohol or drugs to someone's drink.

spiky

adjective

Covered with sharp points; having spikes.

spile

noun

A small plug used to seal the opening in a barrel.

spill

verb

To let liquid or loose material fall out of a container by accident.

spiller

noun

Someone or something that spills, especially a party legally responsible for a spill of oil or waste.

spilling

noun

The act of liquid or loose material falling out of a container.

spillover

noun

Something that overflows or spreads beyond its original limit, or an unintended extra effect.

spilt

adjective

Poured out accidentally; that has been spilled.

spin

verb

To turn around quickly on an axis.

spin-off

noun

A television programme, film or book built around a character, setting or idea taken from an existing one.

spinach

noun

A leafy green vegetable eaten cooked or raw in salads.

spinal

adjective

Relating to the spine or spinal cord.

spindle

noun

A slender rod used for spinning fiber into thread, or more generally, any rod or axis that something turns on.

spine

noun

The column of bones running down the back, from the head down to the tail or pelvis, that protects the spinal cord and holds up the chest and abdomen.

spineless

adjective

Lacking courage or willpower; unable to stand up for oneself.

spinner

noun

A person or thing that spins.

spinney

noun

A small group of trees, often planted to give shelter to game birds.

spinning

noun

The act or process of something rotating, or of turning fiber into thread.

spinous

adj

Covered with a lot of spines.

Spinoza

name

A surname of Portuguese Jewish origin, most famously borne by the philosopher Baruch Spinoza.

spins

noun

A dizzy, spinning sensation, often after drinking too much alcohol.

spinster

noun

An older, unmarried woman, especially one past the age when marriage was traditionally expected.

spiny

adjective

Covered with spines or sharp points.

spiral

noun

A curve that winds around a center point while moving steadily outward or inward.

spire

noun

A tall, tapering structure that rises to a point, especially on top of a church tower.

spirea

noun

Any of the numerous flowering shrubs in the genus Spiraea, bearing bunches of white or pink blooms.

Spires

name

An English surname, possibly derived from residence near a church spire.

spirit

noun

The non-physical part of a person believed to hold their character, emotions, or soul.

spirited

adjective

Full of energy, courage, or enthusiasm.

spiritedness

noun

The quality of being lively and full of energy.

spiritism

name

A philosophical doctrine, established in France in the mid nineteenth century, postulating that humans are essentially immortal spirits that temporarily inhabit physical bodies, and may have influence on the physical world.

spiritless

adj

Having no energy, enthusiasm or feeling; drained of vigour.

spiritlessness

noun

The condition of lacking energy or enthusiasm.

spirits

noun

Strong distilled alcoholic drinks, such as whisky, vodka, or rum.

spiritual

adjective

Relating to the soul, religion, or matters beyond the physical world.

spiritualist

noun

Someone who believes it's possible to communicate with the spirits of the dead.

spirituality

noun

The quality of being concerned with the soul or with religious and inner life rather than material things.

spiritualize

verb

To give something a spiritual quality.

spiritually

adverb

In a way related to the spirit, soul, or inner life rather than the physical world.

spirituous

adj

Containing or related to alcohol.

spiritus

noun

The Latin word for breath or breathing, occasionally used in English discussions of etymology or Slavic/Greek linguistics for a breathing mark.

spiro

noun

In chemistry, a compound made of two rings that share only a single connecting atom.

spirt

verb

An archaic spelling of spurt.

spit

noun

A thin rod used to skewer and rotate meat while it cooks over a fire.

spitball

noun

A baseball throw made illegal by putting saliva on part of the ball.

spite

noun

A petty desire to annoy, hurt, or upset someone.

spiteful

adjective

Full of spite; deliberately unkind or vindictive.

spitefulness

noun

The quality of being spiteful.

spitfire

noun

Someone with a fiery, quick temper, especially a strong-willed woman or girl.

spitter

noun

Someone who spits.

spitting

noun

The act of ejecting saliva from the mouth.

spittle

noun

Saliva, especially when it collects visibly, often frothy.

spittoon

noun

A container for spitting into, traditionally used by people chewing tobacco or taking snuff.

spitz

noun

Any of several Nordic dog breeds with pointed muzzles and ears, such as the Pomeranian or Samoyed.

spitzer

noun

A bullet with a pointed tip, designed to cut through air more efficiently.

Spivey

name

An English surname of uncertain origin.