English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

scenic

adjective

Having beautiful natural views.

scent

noun

A distinctive smell.

scented

adj

Having a pleasant smell.

scepter

noun

The American spelling of sceptre, a ceremonial rod carried by a monarch as a symbol of authority.

sceptical

adj

The British/Commonwealth spelling of skeptical — doubtful or unconvinced about a claim.

sceptre

noun

A decorated ceremonial staff carried by a ruling monarch as a symbol of royal power.

Schaefer

name

A German occupational surname equivalent to English "Shepherd."

Schaeffer

name

A surname, a variant of Schaefer.

Schafer

name

A German occupational surname equivalent to English "Shepherd."

schedule

noun

A plan that lists when a set of tasks or events will happen.

scheduled

adj

Planned to happen at a set time.

scheduling

noun

The process of arranging events, tasks, or resources to happen at particular times.

Scheherazade

name

A female given name of Persian origin.

schematic

noun

A simplified diagram showing how a system or device works, using standard symbols.

scheme

noun

A plan for how to do something, especially an organized or official one.

schemer

noun

Someone who makes secret or devious plans.

scheming

adj

Given to making secret or dishonest plans.

Schiff

name

A surname of German origin, sometimes Jewish, from a word meaning "ship."

Schiller

noun

A shimmering, sheen-like optical effect seen in certain minerals, caused by tiny parallel inclusions inside the crystal.

schilling

noun

The former currency of Austria, used before the euro was adopted, divided into 100 groschen.

Schillinger

name

A surname of German origin.

Schindler

name

A surname of German origin.

schizo

noun

An informal, often offensive shortening of "schizophrenic".

schizophrenia

noun

A serious, long-term mental illness marked by disrupted thinking, false beliefs, and a distorted sense of reality.

schizophrenic

adj

Relating to, or affected by, schizophrenia.

schlep

verb

To carry or drag something heavy, or to make a tiring journey.

Schmeling

name

A surname of German origin.

Schmidt

name

A German occupational surname meaning "smith."

Schmitt

name

A surname of German origin, a variant of Schmidt.

schmooze

verb

To chat in a friendly, informal way, often to network or gain favor.

schmuck

noun

An obnoxious or foolish person; a jerk.

Schnabel

noun

The long, beak-shaped section at the front or rear of a Schnabel car, a type of railway wagon used to carry extremely heavy, oversized loads.

schnapps

noun

A strong distilled spirit, often flavored with fruit or herbs, typically drunk in small glasses.

Schneider

name

A German occupational surname meaning "tailor."

Schnell

name

A German and Jewish surname meaning "quick" or "swift."

schnitzel

noun

A thin cutlet of meat, usually breaded and fried.

Schofield

name

A surname of English origin.

scholar

noun

A person with deep expert knowledge in a particular academic subject.

scholarly

adj

Relating to serious academic study, or showing the careful, learned qualities of a scholar.

scholarship

noun

Money awarded to a student to help pay for their education, usually based on merit or need.

scholastic

adj

Relating to schools or formal education.

Schon

name

A surname of German origin.

school

noun

An institution where people, especially children, go to be taught.

schoolboy

noun

A boy who attends school.

schooler

noun

A student at a particular kind of school, usually named in a compound such as "high schooler."

schoolgirl

noun

A girl who attends school.

schoolhouse

noun

A building that houses a school, especially a small one with a single room.

schooling

noun

Education or training received, especially through formal attendance at school.

schoolmaster

noun

A male teacher, especially one in charge of a school or class.

schoolmate

noun

Someone who attended the same school as you.

schoolteacher

noun

A person who teaches at a school.

schoolwork

noun

Work assigned by a school, whether done in class or as homework.

schoolyard

noun

The outdoor area around a school, used by students for recreation.

schooner

noun

A sailing ship with two or more masts rigged with sails running front to back rather than side to side.

Schopenhauer

name

A surname of German origin, most notably borne by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.

Schrader

name

A surname of German origin.

Schroeder

name

A surname of German origin.

Schrute

name

A surname of German origin.

Schubert

name

A surname of German origin.

Schultz

name

A German occupational surname derived from a word for a village mayor.

Schulz

name

A German and Jewish surname meaning "headman" or "mayor."

Schumacher

name

A German occupational surname meaning "shoemaker."

Schumann

name

A surname of German origin, most notably borne by composer Robert Schumann.

Schuster

name

A German occupational surname meaning "shoemaker."

Schuyler

name

An American surname of Dutch origin, originally an occupational name meaning "scholar."

Schwartz

name

A surname of German origin, meaning "black."

Schwarz

name

A surname of German origin, meaning "black."

Schwarzenegger

noun

Informally, an extremely muscular bodybuilder — from the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, and politician.

Schweitzer

name

A surname of German origin, most notably borne by physician and theologian Albert Schweitzer.

sciatica

noun

Pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically felt running from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg.

science

noun

The systematic study of the natural world through observation and experiment.

sciences

noun

The plural of science — the various branches of scientific study taken together.

scientific

adj

Relating to science or to the methods used in science.

scientifically

adv

In a way that follows scientific methods or principles.

scientist

noun

A person who studies or works in one of the sciences, typically through research and experiment.

Scientologist

noun

A follower of Scientology.

Scientology

noun

A movement founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, centered on his teachings about the mind and spirit.

scimitar

noun

A sword with a curved blade, originally associated with the Middle East and Central Asia.

scintillating

adj

Sparkling or giving off flashes of light.

scion

noun

A descendant of a notable or wealthy family, especially the first generation.

Scipio

name

A male given name of Latin origin, mainly of historical use, borne by the Roman general Scipio Africanus.

scissor

verb

To cut with, or as if with, scissors.

scissors

noun

A tool with two pivoting blades used for cutting paper, fabric, hair and other thin materials.

sclerosis

noun

A medical condition in which body tissue, such as an artery, hardens abnormally.

Scobie

name

A surname of Scottish Gaelic origin.

scoff

verb

To speak about something with scorn or mockery, treating it as ridiculous.

scoffing

noun

The act of mocking or expressing scornful disbelief.

Scofield

name

A surname of English origin.

scold

verb

To criticize someone sharply, usually for doing something wrong.

scolding

noun

A sharp reprimand or telling-off.

scoliosis

noun

A medical condition in which the spine curves abnormally to the side.

scone

noun

A small, dense baked good, often slightly sweet, typically served with butter, jam, or cream.

Scooby

noun

British slang: a clue or understanding of something (from Cockney rhyming slang, "Scooby Doo" = "clue").

scooch

verb

Informal: to shift or move slightly, usually while seated.

scoop

noun

A cup-shaped tool, or the utensil's bowl-shaped end, used for lifting and serving loose material like ice cream or flour.

scooping

noun

The action of lifting or gathering something with a scooping motion.

scoot

verb

To move quickly, especially to leave in a hurry.

scooter

noun

A small vehicle with a handlebar, deck, and wheels, propelled by pushing off the ground with one foot.

scope

noun

The range or extent of a subject, task, or activity.

scoping

noun

The process of defining what a project or task will and will not include.

scopolamine

noun

A drug derived from certain plants, used medically to prevent nausea and motion sickness, and to dilate the pupils.

scorch

verb

To burn the surface of something, discolouring or damaging it without destroying it completely.

scorched

adj

Burned or dried out by intense heat or fire.

scorching

adj

Extremely hot.

score

noun

The total number of points, goals, or runs earned in a game or contest.

scoreboard

noun

A large display that shows the current score and other statistics during a game.

scorer

noun

A person who scores points, goals, or runs in a game.

scores

noun

A large but unspecified number of people or things.

scoring

noun

The act or process of earning or recording points in a game.

scorn

verb

To feel or show strong contempt for someone or something.

scorned

adj

Treated with contempt, rejected, or spurned.

Scorpio

noun

The eighth sign of the zodiac, represented by the scorpion, covering birth dates roughly from late October to late November.

scorpion

noun

An arachnid with large pincers and a curved tail bearing a venomous sting.

Scorpius

noun

A constellation shaped like a scorpion, home to the bright red star Antares.

Scorsese

name

A surname of Italian origin, most notably borne by film director Martin Scorsese.

Scot

noun

A person from Scotland.

scotch

noun

Whisky distilled in Scotland, especially from malted barley.

Scotia

noun

In architecture, a concave moulding, often used at the base of a column.

Scotland

noun

A country that forms part of the United Kingdom, in the northern part of the island of Great Britain.

Scots

noun

A Germanic language closely related to English, traditionally spoken in Lowland Scotland.

Scotsman

noun

A man from Scotland.

Scott

name

An English ethnic surname transferred from the nickname for someone with Scottish ancestry.

Scottie

noun

A Scottish Terrier, a small, wiry-coated breed of dog originally from Scotland.

Scottish

adj

Relating to Scotland, its people, or its culture.

Scottsdale

noun

A city in Maricopa County, Arizona, part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, known for resorts, golf courses, and desert scenery.

Scotty

noun

An informal, affectionate short form of the name Scott.

scoundrel

noun

A dishonest or unprincipled person; a rogue or villain.

scour

verb

To clean something thoroughly by rubbing it hard, often with an abrasive.

scoured

noun

Wool that has been washed and cleaned to remove natural grease before it is processed.

scourge

noun

A whip, especially one with several lashes, historically used to punish or torture.

scouring

noun

The act of cleaning something thoroughly by hard rubbing.

scout

noun

A person sent ahead to gather information, especially about an enemy or unfamiliar territory.

scouting

noun

The activity of exploring or gathering information ahead of time, especially about opponents or terrain.

Scouts

noun

Members of the worldwide youth movement built around outdoor skills, self-reliance, and community service.

scowl

noun

An angry or sullen frown.

scrabble

verb

To scratch or grope about hurriedly with the hands, especially in search of something.

scram

verb

To leave quickly, especially as a command telling someone to go away.

scramble

verb

To move quickly and awkwardly, often using hands and feet, especially over rough ground.

scrambled

adj

Mixed up or thrown into disorder.

scrambler

noun

A motorcycle built for off-road or rough-terrain riding.

scrambling

noun

Climbing steep or rocky terrain using both hands and feet for balance.

Scranton

noun

A city in northeastern Pennsylvania, the county seat of Lackawanna County.

scrap

noun

A small leftover piece or fragment of something.

scrapbook

noun

A blank book used to collect and arrange photographs, clippings, and mementos.

scrape

verb

To drag something rough or sharp across a surface, often removing a layer or leaving a mark.

scraping

noun

The sound or act produced when something is dragged roughly across a surface.

scrapping

noun

The act of discarding or dismantling something no longer needed.

scrappy

adj

Determined and combative, especially despite being smaller or weaker than an opponent.

scratch

verb

To rub or drag nails, claws, or a sharp point across a surface, especially to relieve an itch or leave a mark.

scratched

adj

Marked or damaged by scratching.