English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

splanchnic

adj

(anatomy) Relating to the internal organs or intestines.

splash

noun

The sound or spray made when something hits liquid.

splashboard

noun

A guard towards the front of a horse-drawn vehicle, to prevent splashing by mud or water from the road.

splashdown

noun

The moment something, such as a spacecraft, comes down and hits the surface of water.

splashed

adjective

Slang: extremely drunk.

splasher

noun

A person who splashes.

splashing

noun

The action or sound of liquid being scattered.

splat

noun

The sharp sound, or the resulting messy shape, made when something soft or wet hits a surface.

splatbook

noun

One book in a set written for a role-playing game, aimed at players, that focuses on a single group and gives extra character options for it.

splatter

noun

A messy, scattered pattern left by something striking a surface.

splatterdash

noun

A piece of art or writing that looks as if it was made in a messy, random way.

splattering

noun

The mess left behind when something splatters.

splay

verb

To open something out or make it spread wider.

splayfoot

noun

A condition in which someone's feet are unusually flat and point outward.

spleen

noun

An organ in the upper left abdomen that filters blood, recycles old red blood cells, and supports the immune system.

splendent

adj

Having a bright, glossy shine.

splendid

adjective

Magnificent, impressively beautiful, or of very high quality.

splendidly

adverb

In a magnificent or excellent way.

splendor

noun

Great brightness, beauty, or magnificence.

splendorous

adj

Magnificent and full of splendour.

splendour

noun

British spelling of splendor: great brightness, beauty, or magnificence.

splenetic

adj

Often bad-tempered and quick to be angry or spiteful.

splice

noun

A join made by weaving or overlapping two ends of rope, cable, or similar material.

splicing

noun

The act or process of joining two things together, as with rope, film, or genetic material.

spliff

noun

A hand-rolled cannabis cigarette, often mixed with tobacco.

splint

noun

A rigid support used to hold an injured body part, like a broken bone, in place.

splinter

noun

A thin, sharp fragment broken off from a larger piece, often wood.

splintering

noun

The way something breaks or has broken into small, sharp pieces.

split

verb

To divide something into parts, often along a line.

splits

noun

A gymnastic or dance position where the legs are extended straight out in opposite directions, flat to the floor.

splitting

adjective

Extremely painful, especially describing a headache.

splooge

verb

(vulgar, slang) To ejaculate.

sploop

noun

The sound made by something wet and sticky, like a splat.

sploosh

verb

To make a loud splashing noise.

splosh

verb

To make a loud splashing sound as liquid moves.

splurge

verb

To spend money freely and extravagantly.

splutter

noun

A sudden, forceful burst of small drops or bits shooting out.

Spock

noun

Someone who resembles or acts like the logical, unemotional Star Trek character Spock.

spoil

verb

To ruin something, making it unusable, unpleasant, or less enjoyable.

spoilable

adj

Likely to go off or decay.

spoilage

noun

The amount of something that has gone bad.

spoiled

adjective

No longer fit to eat or use; gone bad.

spoiler

noun

A piece of information that reveals a plot twist or ending before someone experiences it themselves.

spoiling

noun

The act of plundering or ruining something.

spoils

noun

Goods or benefits taken by force, especially after a victory.

spoilsport

noun

Someone who ruins other people's enjoyment or fun.

spoilt

adj

Ruined or damaged in a way that reduces its value or quality.

Spokane

noun

A Native American people traditionally living in what is now eastern Washington and parts of northern Idaho.

spoke

noun

One of the thin rods that run from the hub of a wheel out to its rim.

spoken

adj

Said out loud rather than written.

spokesman

noun

A man who speaks officially on behalf of a person, group, or organization.

spokesperson

noun

A person, regardless of gender, who speaks officially for a person, group, or organization.

sponge

noun

A simple sea creature with a soft, porous skeleton, or the absorbent material made from it (or a synthetic equivalent) used for washing.

sponger

noun

A person who makes use of a sponge.

sponging

noun

The act of wiping, cleaning, or applying something with a sponge.

spongy

adj

Soft, absorbent, and full of tiny holes, like a sponge.

sponsor

noun

A person or organization that provides money to support an event, program, or activity, usually in return for publicity.

sponsored

adj

Funded or supported by a sponsor.

sponsorship

noun

The financial support, or the arrangement of support, provided by a sponsor.

spontaneity

noun

The quality of doing things on impulse, without planning ahead.

spontaneous

adj

Happening or done without planning, on impulse.

spontaneously

adv

In an unplanned, natural way; on impulse.

spontaneousness

noun

The quality of doing things naturally and without planning.

spoof

noun

A humorous imitation that pokes fun at something, especially a film, show, or genre.

spoofing

noun

(computing) Using technology to fake your identity or details, such as your location, in order to trick a system or get access.

spooge

noun

(informal) Any glue or oil used when putting together electronic devices.

spook

noun

A ghost or supernatural apparition.

spooked

adj

Startled, frightened, or made nervous, often suddenly.

spookily

adv

In an eerie, unsettling way.

spookish

adj

Eerie and unsettling, as if supernatural.

spooky

adj

Eerie or unsettling, in a way that suggests ghosts or the supernatural.

spool

noun

A cylinder that thread, wire, film, or cable is wound around.

spoon

noun

A utensil with a small shallow bowl on a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving.

spoonbill

noun

A large, long-legged wading bird with a flat, spoon-shaped bill.

spooner

noun

Someone who spoons — cuddles closely with a partner, nested front-to-back.

spoonful

noun

The amount that a spoon can hold.

spooning

noun

The act of lying close together, front-to-back, in a nested cuddling position.

spoonlike

adj

Shaped like or similar to a spoon.

spoons

noun

A simple card game, often played by children, where players try to grab a spoon from the table.

spoonwise

adv

Lying close together, tucked in the same way as stacked spoons.

sporadic

adj

Happening occasionally and irregularly, with no clear pattern.

sporadically

adv

Happening now and then, not regularly or often.

sporadicalness

noun

The state of happening only now and then, or of following no fixed pattern.

spore

noun

A tiny reproductive cell released by fungi, algae, or certain plants, capable of growing into a new organism.

Spores

name

A surname, likely a variant or occupational derivative, distinct from the biological term "spore."

spork

noun

A utensil combining a spoon and a fork, with a shallow bowl and forked tines.

sporran

noun

A small pouch worn hanging from a belt or chain at the front of a kilt, usually made of fur or leather, and used to carry small items instead of trouser pockets.

sport

noun

A physical activity involving skill and competition, played under a set of rules.

sportfishing

noun

Fishing done for enjoyment or as a sport, rather than as a business.

sporting

adj

Relating to sports.

sports

noun

Plural of "sport" — physical competitive activities collectively.

sportsbook

noun

A venue where someone can place bets on various sporting contests, or the firm that operates it, or its online site; most such firms also offer betting online, subject to state geofencing.

sportscast

noun

The section of a news broadcast that covers sport.

sportscaster

noun

A broadcaster who reports on or commentates sports events, usually on TV or radio.

sportsman

noun

A man who takes part in sports, especially as an athlete.

sportsmanship

noun

Fair, gracious, and respectful behavior in competition, win or lose.

sportsperson

noun

A person who takes part in sport, irrespective of their sex.

sportster

noun

A car or motorbike built and styled to look and feel sporty.

sportswoman

noun

A woman who takes part in sport; a female athlete.

sporty

adj

Enjoying or good at sports.

spot

noun

A small mark or patch of a different color or texture on a surface.

spotless

adj

Completely clean, with no marks or dirt at all.

spotlight

noun

A powerful, directed beam of light used to illuminate a specific person or area, especially on a stage.

spotted

adj

Marked with spots.

spotter

noun

Someone who watches for and identifies something, often as a lookout or assistant.

spotting

noun

The act of noticing or catching sight of something.

spotty

adjective

Uneven or unreliable in quality; good in some parts and poor in others.

spousal

adjective

Relating to marriage or to a husband or wife.

spouse

noun

A husband or wife; the person someone is married to.

spout

noun

A narrow tube or opening that liquid pours out of.

spouting

noun

(chiefly British/NZ/Australian) Guttering fixed under a roof’s edge to carry away rainwater.

Sprague

name

An English surname, and the name of several places in the United States.

sprain

verb

To injure a joint or ligament by twisting it too far without dislocating it.

Sprang

name

A surname of German or English origin.

sprat

noun

A small, herring-like marine fish, especially one of the genus Sprattus, often eaten whole.

Spratt

name

An English surname, and a well-known brand of pet food.

sprawl

verb

To sit or lie with the arms and legs spread out carelessly.

sprawling

adjective

Spread out over a large, often irregular area.

spray

noun

A fine mist of liquid released into the air.

sprayed

adjective

Coated with a mist or fine layer of liquid.

sprayer

noun

A device used for spraying a liquid.

spraying

noun

The act of releasing a liquid in a fine mist over something.

spread

verb

To open something out so it covers a wider area.

spreadable

noun

An item, for example a foodstuff, capable of being spread.

spreader

noun

A tool used to apply or distribute a substance evenly, such as butter or fertilizer.

spreading

noun

The act of something becoming more widely distributed or known.

spreadly

adv

Over a wide area; widely.

spreadsheet

noun

A computer program, or file created with one, that organizes data into rows and columns for calculation and analysis.

spree

noun

A short burst of unrestrained activity, especially spending or indulgence.

sprightly

adj

Full of energy and cheerfulness; lively.

spring

noun

The season between winter and summer, when plants begin to grow again.

springald

noun

(old-fashioned) A young man.

springboard

noun

A flexible board used to launch a diver or gymnast into the air.

springbock

noun

An archaic form of springbok.

springbok

noun

A small, fast-running antelope found in southern Africa.

springe

verb

To trap something using a snare.

Springer

noun

A springer spaniel, a medium-sized hunting dog breed known for flushing game from cover.

Springfield

name

A common American place name, borne by the capital of Illinois and many other towns, and the fictional setting of "The Simpsons."

springhaas

noun

A springhare found in South Africa.

springiness

noun

The quality of being able to bounce back into shape.

springing

verb

Moving suddenly and quickly upward or forward, as if propelled by a spring.

Springs

noun

Plural of "spring": either coiled metal parts that store and release tension, or natural sources of water flowing from the ground.

Springsteen

name

A surname of Dutch origin, notably borne by the American musician Bruce Springsteen.

springtime

noun

The season of spring, falling between winter and summer.

springy

adj

Able to quickly bounce back to its original shape after being pressed, bent or stretched.

sprinkle

verb

To scatter small drops or particles of something over a surface.

sprinkler

noun

A device that sprays water over a lawn or garden.

sprinkles

noun

Small pieces of candy or sugar scattered over desserts as decoration.

sprinkling

noun

A small, thinly scattered amount of something.

sprint

noun

A short race or burst of running at full speed.