English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

scintillate

verb

To produce sparks, or to shine as though giving them off, twinkling or glowing.

scintillating

adj

Sparkling or giving off flashes of light.

scintillation

noun

A brief flash of light or a spark.

sciolist

noun

Someone who claims to be an expert but only has a shallow understanding of a subject.

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.

scissoring

noun

An instance of cutting something, whether literally with scissors or in a similar fashion, in particular the cutting and censoring of a film.

scissors

noun

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

scissure

noun

A long, narrow opening made by cutting; a crack or split.

sclera

noun

The white part of the eye: the eyeball's tough outer layer, which covers everything except the cornea.

scleroderma

noun

A long-term autoimmune illness in which the skin and sometimes other organs become hard because too much collagen builds up.

sclerosant

noun

A liquid used to harden tissue in medical treatment.

sclerosis

noun

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

sclerotherapy

noun

A treatment for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and ulcers involving an injection of material into a blood vessel to make it harden and shrink.

sclerotic

adj

Relating to the white outer layer of the eye.

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.

scoffingly

adv

In a mocking or scornful way.

scofflaw

noun

Someone who breaks the law and shows open contempt for it.

Scofield

name

A surname of English origin.

scold

verb

To criticize someone sharply, usually for doing something wrong.

scolder

noun

Someone who tells others off.

scolding

noun

A sharp reprimand or telling-off.

scoliosis

noun

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

scombral

adj

Describes something connected with mackerel.

scombroid

noun

A fish belonging to the mackerel family.

sconce

noun

A bracket that holds a light and shields it, whether from wind or from the exposed flame or bulb itself.

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.

scoot over

phrasal verb

To shift sideways while seated or lying down, usually to make room for someone else.

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.

scorbutic

adj

Relating to or affected by scurvy.

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.

scorcher

noun

A person or thing that scorches something.

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.

scorecard

noun

A printed card that lets spectators at a match identify the players and note how the game is going.

scorer

noun

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

scores

noun

A large but unspecified number of people or things.

scoria

noun

The waste material left behind when metal is smelted from ore.

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.

scornful

adj

Full of scorn, showing that you think someone or something deserves no respect.

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.

scotchman

noun

A man who comes from Scotland.

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 surname derived from a nickname given to someone of Scottish descent.

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.

SCOTUS

abbreviation

The Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the American federal system and the final authority on what the Constitution means.

scoundrel

noun

A dishonest or unprincipled person; a rogue or villain.

scoundrelry

noun

Wicked, dishonest behaviour or actions.

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.

scoury

adj

Describes weather with on-and-off rain and wind.

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.

scow

noun

A large boat with a flat bottom and wide, square ends.

scowl

noun

An angry or sullen frown.

scrabble

verb

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

scraffle

verb

To struggle or scramble, or to argue.

scraggy

adj

Rough, uneven and jagged in shape.

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.

scranch

verb

To crunch something noisily between the teeth.

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.

scraplet

noun

A tiny scrap or small piece of something.

scrapper

noun

Someone who gets rid of scrap, for example by collecting old metal to sell on.

scrapping

noun

The act of discarding or dismantling something no longer needed.

scrapple

verb

To rummage or scratch about.

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.

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).

scratchiness

noun

The quality of feeling rough or scratchy.

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.

scrawl

noun

Untidy, badly formed handwriting that can be hard to read.

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.

scree

noun

Loose broken stones lying on a slope.

screech

noun

A harsh, high-pitched cry or sound.

screecher

noun

A bird from an old group called Picariae, not classed among the songbirds.

screeching

noun

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

screed

noun

A piece of writing (such as an article, letter, or list) or a speech, especially if long.

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.

screenland

noun

The world of cinema and film production.

screenplay

noun

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

screenshot

noun

An image capturing what is shown on a computer or smartphone screen at a particular moment.

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.

screwable

adj

Able to be fixed in place with a screw.

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.

screwfaced

adj

(informal) Showing an angry, frustrated expression on the face.

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.

scrim

noun

A practice match played by a team against another team outside official competition, especially in esports.

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.

scrimp

noun

A person who is mean with money.

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.

scripting

noun

The process of writing a script for something.

scriptural

adj

Based on or matching the holy texts of a religion.

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.

scrivener

noun

(old-fashioned) Someone whose job is to write out documents or legal papers for other people.

scroll

noun

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