English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

steps

noun

A sequence of individual movements or actions taken to get somewhere or accomplish something.

stepsister

noun

A girl or woman who is the daughter of your stepparent from an earlier relationship, and to whom you're not related by blood.

stepson

noun

A boy or man who is the son of your spouse from an earlier relationship.

stereo

noun

A sound system or recording that uses two or more separate channels to give a sense of space and direction to the audio.

stereotype

noun

An oversimplified, fixed idea about a whole group of people, often unfair or inaccurate.

stereotyper

noun

A person whose job is to make printing plates, or who works in a place that produces them.

stereotypic

adj

Typical of a fixed, oversimplified idea about a type of person or thing.

stereotypical

adjective

Matching a common, oversimplified idea of what something or someone should be like; predictable in an unoriginal way.

stereotypy

noun

The constant repeating of an action, especially a movement that has no real purpose.

sterile

adjective

Free from all living germs and microorganisms.

sterileness

noun

The quality of being sterile.

sterilisation

noun

A non-Oxford British English standard spelling of sterilization.

sterility

noun

The state of being sterile — either unable to reproduce, or completely free of germs.

sterilization

noun

The process of killing off all germs and microorganisms on something.

sterilize

verb

To destroy all germs and microorganisms on or in something.

sterilized

adjective

Made completely free of germs and microorganisms.

sterling

adjective

Relating to the official currency of the United Kingdom, the pound sterling.

stern

adjective

Serious and strict in manner; harsh or severe.

sternum

noun

The flat bone in the center of the chest that the ribs connect to; the breastbone.

sternutation

noun

A sneeze, or the act of sneezing, especially when occurring as a symptom.

steroid

noun

One of a class of organic compounds, including hormones like testosterone and cortisol, built around a distinctive four-ring carbon structure.

stertor

noun

The action of snoring loudly.

stethoscope

noun

A medical instrument used to listen to sounds inside the body, such as the heartbeat or breathing.

Stetson

noun

A wide-brimmed felt hat, especially the style associated with cowboys.

Steve

verb

To load and pack cargo tightly into a ship's hold.

stevedore

noun

A worker at a dock who loads and unloads ships, or oversees this work.

Steven

noun

(archaic) A loud voice, or the sound of one's voice.

Stevens

name

An English surname meaning "son of Steven."

Stevenson

name

An English and Scottish surname meaning "son of Steven," notably borne by author Robert Louis Stevenson.

Stevie

name

An informal given name, a short form of Steven, Stephen, or Stephanie, notably borne by musician Stevie Wonder.

stew

noun

A dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly together in liquid.

steward

noun

Someone who manages property, affairs, or resources on behalf of someone else.

stewardess

noun

A woman who works as a flight attendant, looking after passengers' comfort and safety.

stewardship

noun

The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to your care, especially resources, money or land that others depend on.

stewardson

name

The name of a village in Shelby County, Illinois, United States.

Stewart

name

A Scottish surname and given name, an occupational name for a steward or household official, also the name of a Scottish royal house.

stewed

adjective

Cooked slowly in liquid.

Stewie

name

An informal short form of Stewart or Stuart, notably the name of a baby character on the animated show "Family Guy."

stewing

noun

The process of cooking something slowly in liquid.

STFU

interjection

An abbreviation of "shut the fuck up", used online and in text messages to tell someone forcefully to stop talking.

STG

abbreviation

An abbreviation of "swear to God", used in text messages and online to insist that what you are saying is true or to express exasperation.

stian

noun

A stye — a small, painful swelling on the eyelid caused by an infected gland.

sticharion

noun

A long outer robe worn by priests in the Greek Orthodox Church, similar to the alb worn in the Catholic Church.

stick

noun

A thin piece of wood, especially a fallen branch or twig.

stickable

adj

Able to be stuck onto something; sticky.

sticker

noun

A small piece of paper or plastic with an adhesive back, used for decoration or labeling.

stickiness

noun

The quality of being able to stick to something.

sticking

noun

A pattern of drum notes worked out for which hand plays which beat.

stickle

noun

A sharp point, such as a small spine or prickle.

stickler

noun

A person who insists on strict adherence to rules, details, or standards.

sticks

noun

Informal: a rural or remote area, far from a city.

stickup

noun

An armed robbery.

sticky

adjective

Coated with a substance that clings to things it touches; tending to stick.

stiff

adjective

Rigid; not easily bent or moved.

stiffen

verb

To make something rigid or less flexible.

stiffer

noun

Vulgar slang for an erect penis.

stiffness

noun

The quality of being rigid or resistant to bending.

stiffy

noun

(vulgar, slang) An erection.

stifle

verb

To suppress or hold back something such as a sound, feeling, or reaction.

stifled

adj

Held back, suppressed, or muffled.

stifler

noun

Someone or something that suppresses or holds something back.

stifling

adj

Oppressively hot, airless, or restrictive.

stig

noun

British slang for someone seen as scruffy or from a rough background.

stigma

noun

A mark of shame or disgrace attached to a person, group, or condition.

stigmatise

verb

A non-Oxford British English standard spelling of stigmatize.

stigmatize

verb

To treat someone or something as shameful, or to mark them with a stigma.

Stiles

name

An English surname, originally referring to someone who lived near a set of steps over a fence.

stiletto

noun

A short, slender knife or dagger used for stabbing.

still

adj

Not moving; calm and motionless.

stillbirth

noun

The birth of a baby that has already died in the womb.

stillborn

adj

Dead at the moment of birth.

stiller

noun

Someone or something that stills or calms something else.

Stillman

noun

A person who operates a still used for distilling liquids.

stillness

noun

The state of being calm, quiet, and without movement.

Stillson

noun

A type of adjustable wrench with serrated jaws, used for gripping pipes; also called a pipe wrench.

Stillwater

name

A place name shared by several towns in the United States, including cities in Oklahoma and Minnesota.

Stillwell

name

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "calm spring" or "still well."

stilt

noun

One of a pair of long poles with a place to rest your feet, used to walk high above the ground, often by performers.

stilted

adj

Standing or built on stilts, or on something similar.

Stilton

noun

A strong, blue-veined English cheese.

stimulant

noun

A substance that increases activity in the body or nervous system.

stimulate

verb

To encourage activity, growth, or interest.

stimulated

adj

Made more active, alert, or interested.

stimulating

adj

Arousing interest, energy, or thought.

stimulation

noun

The act of encouraging activity or response, or the state of being encouraged.

stimulus

noun

Something that triggers a reaction or response.

sting

noun

A sharp pain, or the puncture and injection of venom by an insect or animal.

stinger

noun

The pointed body part an insect or animal uses to sting.

stinging

adj

Capable of causing a sharp pain, or itself sharply painful.

stingray

noun

A flat-bodied ray with a whip-like tail bearing a venomous barb.

stingy

adj

Unwilling to spend, give, or share; miserly.

stink

verb

To give off a strong, unpleasant smell.

stinkard

noun

Any of several animals known for their strong, unpleasant smell.

stinker

noun

Something or someone unpleasant, difficult, or of poor quality.

stinkhole

noun

A dirty, unpleasant place.

stinking

adj

Having a strong, unpleasant smell.

stinkpot

noun

A person who is unpleasant or annoying.

stinks

noun

British school slang for chemistry class.

stinky

adj

Having a strong, unpleasant smell.

Stinson

name

An English surname meaning "son of Stephen."

stint

noun

A period of time spent doing a particular job or activity.

stipe

noun

The stalk-like stem of a mushroom, seaweed, or similar organism.

stipend

noun

A regular, fixed payment for services — often given to clergy, students, interns, or public officials instead of a full wage.

stipendiarian

adj

Relating to someone who is paid for their work, or to a mercenary.

stipendiary

noun

A person who is paid a stipend.

stipendiate

verb

To pay someone a stipend or salary, or to fund and support them.

stipulate

verb

To state clearly as a required condition of an agreement or contract.

stipulated

adj

Set out as a required condition in an agreement.

stipulation

noun

A specific condition written into an agreement or contract.

stipule

noun

A small leaf-like part found in pairs at the base of a leaf stalk on many flowering plants, though it can be reduced or missing.

stir

verb

To mix a liquid or substance by moving an object like a spoon through it.

Stirling

name

A Scottish surname and city in central Scotland, also used as a given name.

stirring

adj

Deeply moving or inspiring; capable of provoking strong emotion.

stirrup

noun

A loop or ring hanging from a saddle that a rider rests a foot in while mounting or riding a horse.

stitch

noun

A single loop of thread made by a needle in sewing, knitting, or in closing a wound.

stitchery

noun

Delicate needlework made by stitching.

stitching

noun

A row or pattern of stitches, or the act of sewing them.

stithy

noun

A blacksmith's workshop or forge.

stoa

noun

In ancient Greece, a covered walkway with columns, sometimes closed on one side, such as the Great Hall in Athens.

stoat

noun

Mustela erminea, the ermine or short-tailed weasel, a mustelid native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip.

stob

noun

A twig, stick or peg, particularly one used in roofing or matting.

stochastic

adjective

Involving or governed by chance, so that individual outcomes cannot be predicted exactly even though the pattern of outcomes over many trials can be described by probability.

stock

noun

The goods a shop or business keeps available to sell.

stockade

noun

A defensive fence or enclosure made of upright wooden posts.

stockbroker

noun

Someone who buys and sells shares for clients, often also giving investment advice.

stocked

adj

Supplied or filled with goods.

stockfish

noun

Cod, or a similar fish, that has been split open and dried in the open air without using salt.

stockholder

noun

A person or entity that owns shares in a company.

Stockholm

name

The capital and largest city of Sweden.

stocking

noun

A close-fitting garment covering the foot and leg, usually made of thin, stretchy fabric.

stockman

noun

A person, especially in Australia or the western US, who works with and manages livestock.

stockpile

noun

A large stored supply of something kept for future use.

stockpiling

noun

The act of building up a large reserve supply of something.

stockroom

noun

A room where a store or business keeps its inventory.

stocks

noun

A historical wooden device with holes for the hands and feet, used to publicly restrain and punish offenders.

Stockwell

name

An English surname, also the name of a district in south London.

stocky

adj

Solidly and compactly built, with a broad, muscular frame.

Stoddard

name

An English surname, historically an occupational name for a keeper of horses.

stodge

noun

Filling, plain food that is often starchy, for example a steamed pudding.

stodgy

adj

Dull and old-fashioned.

stog

verb

To get stuck, or make something stuck, in mud.

stogie

noun

A tough, heavy work boot.

stoic

adj

Enduring pain or hardship without complaint or visible emotion.

stoical

adj

Able to put up with pain or difficulty calmly, without complaining or showing emotion.

stoically

adv

In a way that shows calm endurance of pain or hardship, without complaining or showing emotion.

stoichiometry

noun

The branch of chemistry concerned with calculating the measurable amounts of reactants and products in a chemical reaction.

stoicism

noun

A philosophical school that became popular in the Roman Empire, which stressed reason as the way to understand the natural order, or logos, and to free oneself from emotional suffering.

stoke

verb

To add fuel to a fire to keep it burning, or to feed a furnace.

stoked

adj

Very excited or enthusiastic.

stoker

noun

A person who tends a fire or furnace, especially on a steamship or steam train.