English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

scratcher

noun

An instant lottery ticket that reveals a result when its surface is scraped off.

scratches

noun

A skin condition affecting the lower legs of horses, causing irritation and scabbing (also called pastern dermatitis).

scratching

noun

The act or sound of dragging something across a surface, especially to relieve an itch.

scratchy

adj

Rough or coarse against the skin, causing irritation.

scrawny

adj

Unattractively thin, often to the point of looking undernourished.

scream

noun

A loud, high-pitched cry expressing strong emotion such as fear, pain, or excitement.

screamer

noun

A person who screams, especially loudly or frequently.

screaming

adj

Very loud and high-pitched.

screech

noun

A harsh, high-pitched cry or sound.

screeching

noun

The act or sound of producing a harsh, high-pitched noise.

screen

noun

A flat surface on a device or in a cinema on which images or text are displayed.

screening

noun

A medical or background test carried out to detect problems early.

screenplay

noun

The written text of a film or TV show, including dialogue, scenes, and action descriptions.

screenwriter

noun

A person who writes screenplays for film or television.

screw

noun

A metal fastener with a spiral thread, driven in with a twisting motion to hold materials together.

screwball

noun

A baseball pitch thrown with a twisting wrist motion that curves opposite to a normal curveball.

screwdriver

noun

A hand tool with a shaped tip used to turn screws.

screwed

adj

(informal) In serious trouble, with little hope of escaping it.

screwing

noun

The act of fastening something with a screw or a twisting motion.

screwup

noun

A significant mistake, especially one that affects other people.

screwy

adj

Strange, ridiculous, or not making sense.

scribble

verb

To write or draw quickly and carelessly.

scribbling

noun

Writing or drawing done in a hasty, careless manner.

scribe

noun

A person employed to write or copy documents by hand, especially historically.

scrimmage

noun

In American or Canadian football, a play starting when the ball is snapped, or more generally a practice match that doesn't count officially.

scrip

noun

A substitute for regular currency, such as a voucher or token issued by a company or local authority.

script

noun

The written text of a play, film, speech, or broadcast.

scripted

adj

Written or planned out in advance rather than spontaneous.

Scripture

noun

The sacred texts of a religion, especially the Bible in Christianity.

scriptwriter

noun

A person who writes scripts for film, television, or radio.

scroll

noun

A roll of paper or parchment, especially one containing writing.

scrolling

noun

The continuous movement of content up, down, or across a screen.

scrooge

noun

A person who is stingy and reluctant to spend money.

scrotum

noun

The pouch of skin behind the penis that holds the testicles in most male mammals.

scrounge

verb

To search for or obtain something, especially by asking others or making do with what is available.

scrounging

noun

The act of searching for or obtaining things by resourceful or opportunistic means.

scrub

verb

To clean something by rubbing hard, often with a brush.

scrubbed

adj

Cleaned thoroughly by scrubbing.

scrubber

noun

A tool or device used for scrubbing, such as a brush or sponge.

scrubbing

noun

The act of cleaning something by rubbing it hard.

scruff

noun

The back of the neck, especially of an animal.

scruffy

adj

Untidy or shabby in appearance.

scrumptious

adj

Extremely delicious or delightful, especially describing food.

scrupulous

adj

Extremely careful and thorough, paying close attention to detail and honesty.

scrutiny

noun

Close, careful examination or observation.

scuba

noun

Diving equipment consisting of a compressed-air tank and regulator, allowing a diver to breathe underwater independently.

Scudder

noun

One who scuds, or moves quickly and lightly.

scuff

verb

To scrape or drag the feet while walking, or to scratch a surface by rubbing.

scuffle

noun

A brief, disorganized fight or struggle at close quarters.

scuffling

noun

The act of engaging in a brief, disorganized fight.

scull

noun

A light, narrow rowing boat, or one of the pair of oars used to row it.

scullery

noun

A small utility room next to a kitchen used for washing dishes and other chores.

Scully

noun

A short barrier or spiked obstacle set up to block military vehicles, such as a Czech hedgehog.

sculpt

verb

To shape something, especially by carving, modelling, or casting, into a three-dimensional form.

sculpted

adjective

Having a well-defined, shapely form, as if carved or chiselled.

sculpting

noun

The art or activity of shaping material into three-dimensional works of art.

sculptor

noun

An artist who creates three-dimensional works of art, typically by carving, modelling, or casting.

sculpture

noun

A three-dimensional work of art made by carving, modelling, casting, or assembling material.

scum

noun

A thin layer of dirt, foam, or other impurities that gathers on the surface of a liquid.

scumbag

noun

A thoroughly dishonest, sleazy, or contemptible person.

scurry

verb

To run with short, quick, hurried steps.

scurrying

noun

Quick, hurried movement, especially of small steps.

scurvy

noun

A disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, causing bleeding gums, loose teeth, and skin spots.

scuttle

noun

An open bucket or container used for carrying coal.

scuttlebutt

noun

Gossip or informal rumour.

Scylla

noun

In Greek mythology, a monstrous sea creature that, together with the whirlpool Charybdis, threatened sailors passing through a narrow strait.

scythe

noun

A hand tool with a long curved blade on a long handle, used for cutting grass or grain.

se

noun

A large Chinese plucked string instrument similar to a zither, traditionally strung with 25 strings and played horizontally.

sea

noun

The continuous body of salt water covering most of the Earth's surface, or a named part of it.

seabed

noun

The floor of the sea or ocean.

seaboard

noun

The region of land along a coastline; a seaboard region.

seafaring

adjective

Working or travelling regularly at sea, especially as an occupation.

seafood

noun

Edible fish and shellfish taken from the sea (or, loosely, from any body of water).

seagull

noun

A common name for various white and grey coastal birds with long wings, often seen scavenging near water.

seahawk

noun

A common name for the osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey.

seal

noun

A marine mammal with flippers that lives partly on land and partly in the sea.

sealed

adjective

Closed securely so that nothing can get in or out.

sealing

noun

The act of closing something securely, or of applying a seal to it.

Seals

name

A Cornish habitational surname.

seam

noun

The line where two pieces of fabric are stitched together.

seaman

noun

A sailor, especially one serving on a ship.

seamless

adjective

Having no seams or visible joins.

seamstress

noun

A woman who sews or makes clothing professionally.

Seamus

name

A male given name of Irish origin, equivalent to "James."

Sean

name

A male given name of Irish origin, equivalent to "John."

seaplane

noun

An aircraft designed to take off from and land on water.

seaport

noun

A town or city with a harbour where ships can load and unload cargo.

sear

verb

To burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat.

search

verb

To look carefully in order to find someone or something.

searcher

noun

A person or thing that searches.

searching

adjective

Thorough and probing, especially of a look, question, or examination.

searchlight

noun

A powerful lamp that projects a controllable, focused beam of light, often used at night for surveillance or signalling.

seared

verb

Past tense and past participle of "sear" — browned quickly over high heat, or burned/scorched by intense heat or emotion.

searing

adjective

Extremely hot, or (of pain, criticism, or emotion) intensely sharp and forceful.

Sears

name

A surname of English origin.

seashell

noun

The hard outer shell of a sea creature such as a clam, snail, or mussel, especially one found washed up on a beach.

seashore

noun

The land along the edge of the sea, especially where it meets the beach.

seasick

adjective

Nauseous or unwell from the motion of a boat or ship.

seasickness

noun

Nausea and dizziness caused by the movement of a ship or boat.

seaside

noun

An area next to the sea, typically a beach resort or coastal town, especially in British English.

season

noun

One of the four main divisions of the year — spring, summer, autumn, or winter — marked by particular weather patterns.

seasonal

adjective

Happening only at a certain time of year, or relating to one of the seasons.

seasoned

adjective

Experienced and skilled through long practice.

seasoning

noun

Salt, herbs, spices, or other ingredients added to food to improve its taste.

seat

noun

A piece of furniture or part of one designed for a person to sit on.

seated

adjective

Sitting down, especially already in a chair or seat.

seating

noun

Seats collectively, or the arrangement of where people sit.

Seattle

name

A seaport city in Washington, United States, and the county seat of King County.

Seaver

name

A surname of Old English origin.

seawater

noun

The salt water found in oceans and seas.

seaweed

noun

Any of various plant-like algae that grow in the sea, often washed up on beaches.

seaworthy

adjective

Of a ship, in good enough condition to safely sail at sea.

Seb

name

A diminutive of the male given name Sebastian.

Sebastian

name

A male given name of Latin or Ancient Greek origin.

secluded

adjective

Quiet and private, away from other people or busy areas.

seclusion

noun

The state of being private and away from other people.

second

adjective

Coming after the first in order, position, or importance.

secondary

adjective

Of lesser importance than something else; not primary.

secondhand

adjective

Previously owned by someone else; not new.

secondly

adverb

Used to introduce the second point in a list or argument.

seconds

noun

An additional helping of food at a meal.

secrecy

noun

The practice of keeping something hidden or known only to a few people.

secret

noun

Something kept hidden or known only to a select few.

secretarial

adjective

Relating to the work of a secretary, such as typing, filing, and office administration.

secretariat

noun

The administrative office or staff that supports an organisation, especially a government body or international agency.

secretary

noun

A person who handles correspondence, records, and administrative tasks for a person or organisation.

secrete

verb

Of a gland, cell, or plant, to produce and release a substance.

secretion

noun

A substance released by a gland, cell, or organism, or the process of releasing it.

secretive

adjective

Inclined to keep things hidden and reveal little information.

secretly

adverb

In a way that is hidden from others.

sect

noun

A group with beliefs, especially religious ones, that differ from those of a larger group it split from.

section

noun

A distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or object.

sector

noun

A distinct part or division of something larger, especially an area of economic or social activity.

secular

adj

Not connected to religion; concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters.

secure

adj

Protected from danger, harm, or loss.

secured

adj

Made safe, fixed firmly, or backed by a guarantee.

securely

adv

In a way that is safe or firmly fixed; without risk of harm or failure.

security

noun

The state of being safe from danger, harm, or threat.

sed

noun

A command-line program used on Unix-like systems to search, replace, and edit text automatically, line by line, without opening it in a full text editor.

sedan

noun

A car with a separate boot and a fixed roof, seating passengers in an enclosed cabin.

sedate

adj

Calm, unhurried, and dignified in manner.

sedation

noun

The act or state of being calmed by a sedative drug.

sedative

noun

A drug that calms a person or induces sleep.

seder

noun

The ceremonial meal held on the first night or two of Passover, following a set order of readings and rituals.

Sedgwick

name

A surname of English origin, also borne by several places in England, Australia, and the United States.

sediment

noun

Solid particles, such as sand or silt, that settle at the bottom of a liquid or body of water.

sedition

noun

Speech or organized action that incites rebellion against a government or authority.

Sedona

name

A female given name.

seduce

verb

To persuade someone to do something unwise or improper, often by charm or temptation.

seducer

noun

A person who seduces someone else, typically into a sexual relationship.