English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

TA

intj

An informal way of saying thanks (chiefly British).

tab

noun

A small flap or strip attached to something, used for holding, opening, or labeling it.

Tabasco

name

A state in southeastern Mexico.

Tabatha

name

A female given name, a variant spelling of Tabitha.

tabby

noun

A cat with a striped or mottled coat pattern.

tabernacle

noun

A temporary or portable place of worship, especially the sacred tent used by the Israelites before the Temple was built.

Tabitha

name

A female given name of Aramaic biblical origin, meaning "gazelle."

table

noun

A piece of furniture with a flat top, supported by legs.

tableau

noun

A vivid, striking scene or picture, especially one made up of a group of people or objects arranged as if for a painting.

tablecloth

noun

A piece of cloth spread over a table, especially to protect it or dress it up for a meal.

tables

noun

Backgammon, or any similar board game played with counters moved around a two-row board of marked points.

tablet

noun

A small, solid, easy-to-swallow piece of medicine or a supplement.

tabloid

noun

A newspaper printed at roughly half the size of a broadsheet, typically known for punchy, sensational stories rather than sober reporting.

taboo

noun

A subject, word, or action that is avoided or forbidden because of strong social or cultural disapproval.

tabor

noun

A small drum, traditionally played with one stick while the other hand plays a pipe.

tac

noun

Slang for cannabis.

tach

noun

Informal short form of "tachycardia," an abnormally fast heart rate.

Tachibana

name

A Japanese surname meaning "mandarin orange tree."

tachy

noun

Informal short form of tachycardia, an abnormally fast heart rate.

tachycardia

noun

An abnormally fast resting heart rate, typically above 100 beats per minute.

tachycardic

adj

Relating to or affected by tachycardia; having an abnormally fast heart rate.

tachyon

noun

A hypothetical particle that would always travel faster than light.

tack

noun

A short nail with a broad, flat head.

tackle

verb

To confront and deal with a difficult problem or task head-on.

tackled

adj

Having been brought down or stopped, as in sport, or having been dealt with as a problem.

tackling

noun

The act or technique of physically stopping an opponent in sport, or the process of dealing with a difficult problem.

tacky

adj

Cheap-looking, gaudy, or in poor taste.

taco

noun

A Mexican dish of a folded tortilla filled with ingredients such as meat, beans, cheese, or vegetables.

Tacoma

noun

A city in Washington State, and the historic Native American name for Mount Rainier.

tact

noun

Skill in dealing with people or delicate situations without causing offense, even when being honest.

tactful

adj

Careful and sensitive when dealing with other people, especially in awkward situations.

tactic

noun

A specific action or method used to achieve a particular goal, especially as part of a larger plan.

tactical

adj

Relating to the specific methods used to achieve a goal, especially in the short term or on a smaller scale than overall strategy.

tactically

adv

In a way that is calculated to achieve a specific goal or advantage.

tactics

noun

The specific methods and arrangements used to achieve an objective, especially in a military, sporting, or competitive context.

tactile

adj

Relating to the sense of touch, or perceptible by touch.

tactless

adj

Lacking sensitivity to other people's feelings, often causing unintended offense.

tad

noun

A small amount; a little bit.

tadpole

noun

The tailed, legless larval stage of a frog or toad that lives in water and breathes through gills.

Taeko

name

A Japanese feminine given name, often meaning "child of great fortune."

taekwondo

noun

A Korean martial art known for its fast, high kicks, practiced as both a self-defense system and an Olympic sport.

taffeta

noun

A crisp, smooth, shiny woven fabric, traditionally made of silk but often synthetic today.

taffy

noun

A soft, chewy candy made by boiling and pulling sugar or syrup with butter.

Taft

name

A surname.

tag

noun

A small label attached to an item, showing information such as its price, size, or owner.

Taggart

name

A Scottish surname, anglicized from Gaelic "Mac an t-Sagairt," meaning "son of the priest."

tagged

adj

Marked with a label, keyword, or name, especially in online posts or on physical items.

tagging

noun

The act of labeling something, whether attaching a physical tag, adding a keyword online, or spray-painting graffiti signatures.

Tagore

name

A Bengali surname, most famously borne by the poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Taguchi

name

A Japanese surname.

Tahiti

name

The largest island of French Polynesia, in the South Pacific.

Tahoe

name

A large, deep freshwater lake straddling the California-Nevada border in the United States, popular for skiing and boating.

tai

noun

The Japanese sea bream, a fish prized in Japanese cuisine and often served on celebratory occasions.

taiga

noun

The vast belt of coniferous forest that stretches across the northern hemisphere, lying between the tundra to the north and grassy steppe to the south.

tail

noun

The flexible appendage extending from the rear of an animal's body.

tailed

adj

Having a tail, or having a tail of a specified kind.

tailgate

verb

To drive too closely behind another vehicle, without leaving a safe stopping distance.

tailing

noun

The act of following someone, especially covertly.

tailings

noun

The waste material left over after valuable minerals have been extracted from ore during mining.

taillight

noun

One of the red lights fitted to the rear of a vehicle so it is visible from behind at night.

tailor

noun

A person who professionally makes, fits, or alters clothing, especially suits.

tailored

adj

Fitted closely and neatly to the body, in the style of clothing made by a tailor.

tailoring

noun

The trade or craft of making and fitting clothes.

tailpipe

noun

The pipe at the rear of a vehicle through which exhaust gases are released.

tailspin

noun

A steep, spiraling, uncontrolled descent of an aircraft.

taint

noun

A trace of contamination, corruption, or disgrace attached to something or someone.

tainted

adj

Contaminated, spoiled, or morally corrupted.

taipan

noun

A foreign business executive or tycoon, especially historically in China.

Taipei

name

The capital and a special municipality of Taiwan, in the north of the island.

tais

noun

A traditional handwoven cloth made by women in East Timor, often used in ceremonial dress and as a symbol of local identity.

Taiwan

name

A self-governing island territory in East Asia, officially the Republic of China, with its capital at Taipei.

Taiwanese

adj

Relating to Taiwan, its people, or its culture.

taj

noun

A tall, brimless ceremonial hat traditionally worn as a mark of rank in some Muslim cultures.

Tajima

name

A Japanese surname.

tak

verb

A dialectal or informal form of "take."

Takada

name

A Japanese surname.

Takagi

name

A Japanese surname.

Takahashi

name

A Japanese surname.

Takako

name

A female Japanese given name.

Takano

name

A Japanese surname.

Takao

name

A Japanese given name, and a historical name for the city now known as Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Takashi

name

A male Japanese given name.

Takayama

name

A Japanese surname, and the name of a city in Gifu Prefecture known for its preserved old town.

take

verb

To reach out and get hold of something, or to remove or carry it away.

takeaway

noun

The key point or lesson drawn from a discussion, event, or piece of information.

Takeda

name

A Japanese surname meaning "bamboo field," notably that of the historic Takeda samurai clan.

takedown

noun

An act of forcefully bringing someone or something down, or exposing and ending their operations.

taken

verb

Past participle of take.

Takeo

name

A Japanese masculine given name, often meaning "warrior man."

takeoff

noun

The moment a plane, rocket, bird, or jumper leaves the ground and becomes airborne.

takeout

noun

Food bought from a restaurant to eat somewhere else.

takeover

noun

The act of one company buying and gaining control of another.

taker

noun

A person who takes something, especially someone willing to accept an offer or bet.

Takeshi

name

A Japanese masculine given name, often meaning "fierce" or "warrior."

takin

noun

A large, heavily built goat-antelope native to the eastern Himalayas.

taking

adj

Charming or attractive in a way that draws people in.

Taku

name

A Japanese masculine given name.

Tal

name

A Hebrew given name and surname meaning "dew."

Talbot

noun

A now-extinct breed of hunting hound with a broad mouth and large ears, once used for tracking.

talcum

noun

A fine, soft powder, often scented, used on the skin to absorb moisture.

tale

noun

A story, especially one that is told aloud and may be fictional or exaggerated.

talent

noun

A natural ability to do something well.

talented

adj

Having a natural skill or ability.

talentless

adj

Lacking any notable skill or natural ability.

tales

noun

In law, a person available on standby to fill a vacancy on a jury.

tali

noun

A traditional marriage necklace or cord, particularly in South Indian and Sri Lankan wedding customs.

Talia

name

A feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "dew from heaven."

Taliban

name

A Deobandi Islamist political and military movement founded in Afghanistan in 1994, which has governed the country intermittently since 1996.

talisman

noun

An object believed to bring good luck or protection to whoever carries or wears it.

talk

verb

To communicate using spoken words.

talkative

adj

Inclined to talk a great deal.

talker

noun

A person who talks a lot or is skilled at talking, such as a speaker or presenter.

talkie

noun

A motion picture with synchronized sound, as opposed to a silent film.

talking

noun

The action or activity of speaking.

talky

adj

Containing a lot of dialogue or spoken conversation, often used to describe a film or play.

tall

adj

Having greater than average height.

Tallahassee

name

The capital city of Florida, United States.

Tallinn

name

The capital city of Estonia.

Tallis

name

An English surname, notably that of Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis.

Tallulah

name

A female given name, and a city in Louisiana, United States.

tally

verb

To count or add up a total.

Talmud

name

A central text of Jewish law and tradition, existing in Babylonian and Jerusalem versions.

talon

noun

A sharp, curved claw belonging to a bird of prey or other predator.

tam

name

A common short form of the female given names Tamara or Tamsin.

tama

noun

A form of votive offering in the Eastern Orthodox Church, particularly the Greek Orthodox Church, usually in the form of a small metal plaque with an embossed image symbolizing the subject of prayer for which it is offered.

Tamaki

name

A Japanese given name and surname, often meaning "beautiful gem."

tamale

noun

A Mexican dish made of masa dough filled with meat or other ingredients, wrapped in a corn husk, and steamed.

Tamar

name

A Hebrew female given name of biblical origin, meaning "date palm."

Tamara

name

A female given name from Hebrew, regularly used in English since the mid-twentieth century.

tamarind

noun

A tropical tree that produces long, curved pods filled with sticky, sour-sweet pulp.

Tamayo

name

A Japanese and Spanish surname; notably that of Mexican painter Rufino Tamayo.

tambourine

noun

A small percussion instrument made of a round frame with jingling metal discs set into its rim, played by shaking or striking it.

tame

adj

Not wild; brought under human control, especially of an animal.

tamed

adj

Brought under control; made docile.

tamer

noun

Someone who trains or controls wild animals, or who brings something unruly under control.

Tami

name

A feminine given name, often a short form of Tamara or Tamsin.

Tamika

name

A feminine given name popular in African American communities, likely derived from Japanese "Tamiko."

Tamiko

name

A Japanese feminine given name, often meaning "child of the people."

Tamil

name

A Dravidian language spoken mainly in Tamil Nadu, India, and in Sri Lanka, and by diaspora communities in Singapore, Malaysia, and elsewhere.

taming

noun

The process of bringing something wild or unruly under control.

Tammi

name

A feminine given name, a variant spelling of Tammy, itself a diminutive of Tamara.

tammy

noun

A woolen or wool-and-cotton fabric, often glazed, historically used for curtains and straining cloths.

Tampa

name

A city on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

tamper

verb

To interfere with something in an unauthorized or harmful way.

tampered

adj

Altered or interfered with without authorization.

tampering

noun

The act of interfering with something in an unauthorized way.

tampon

noun

A small plug of absorbent material inserted into the body to soak up fluid, most commonly used during menstruation.

tamponade

noun

A medical condition in which blood flow is blocked or compressed, such as fluid building up around the heart.

Tamra

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Tamara.

Tamsin

name

A feminine given name, a Cornish diminutive of Thomasina, meaning "twin."

Tamura

name

A Japanese surname meaning "rice-field village."

tan

noun

A yellowish-brown colour, or the darkened shade skin takes on after time in the sun.

Tana

name

Nickname for Antananarivo: the capital and largest city of Madagascar.

Tanaka

name

A Japanese surname meaning "middle of the rice field," one of the most common surnames in Japan.

tandem

adj

Arranged one behind the other, or working together closely.

tandoori

adj

Cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven used in South Asian cooking.

Tandy

name

An English surname and given name; notably that of actress Jessica Tandy.

Tane

name

A masculine given name; in Maori mythology, Tane is the god of forests and birds.

tang

noun

A sharp, distinctive taste or smell.

tangent

noun

A straight line that touches a curve at exactly one point without crossing it.

tangerine

noun

A small, sweet citrus fruit with loose, easy-to-peel orange skin, related to the mandarin.

tangible

adj

Able to be touched or physically felt.

Tangier

name

A port city in northern Morocco, on the Strait of Gibraltar.

tangle

verb

To twist together into a knotted, confused mass.

tangled

adj

Twisted together into a confused, knotted mass.

tango

noun

A passionate ballroom dance in 4/4 time, originally from Argentina, or the music written for it.

tangy

adj

Having a sharp, zesty flavor.

Tani

name

A Japanese surname meaning "valley," also used as a given name in other cultures.

Tania

noun

A short form of the female names Tatiana or Tetyana.

Tanja

name

A feminine given name, a variant of Tatiana used in German and Scandinavian countries.

tank

noun

A large container built to hold a liquid or gas.

tanked

adj

Very drunk.

tanker

noun

A large ship, truck, or aircraft built to carry and transport a bulk liquid such as oil, fuel, or water.

tanking

noun

The act of deliberately losing a game or match for a perceived future benefit.

tanned

adj

Having skin darkened by exposure to sunlight.

tanner

noun

Someone whose trade is turning animal hides into leather.

tanning

noun

The process of turning animal hides into leather.

tannoy

noun

A public address system used to make announcements over loudspeakers.

Tano

name

A surname from Spanish.

Tans

noun

Plural of tan, meaning suntans, or informally, the Black and Tans, a British paramilitary force active in Ireland in 1920-21.

tansy

noun

A herb with clusters of small yellow flowers, traditionally used in old-fashioned remedies and cooking.

tantalizing

adj

So tempting or desirable that it is hard to resist, especially something just out of reach.

tantamount

adj

Equal in effect or seriousness to something else, even if not literally the same.

tanto

noun

A short traditional Japanese blade, often carried alongside a katana.

tantric

adj

Relating to tantra — esoteric spiritual and yogic traditions and practices originating in India.

tantrum

noun

A sudden outburst of bad temper, especially a childish one.

tanuki

noun

A Japanese raccoon dog, a wild canine species native to East Asia.

Tanya

noun

A short form of the female names Tatiana or Tetyana.

Tanzania

name

A country in East Africa, officially the United Republic of Tanzania.

tao

name

In Taoism, the fundamental principle underlying and unifying the universe, and the natural way of living in harmony with it.

Taoist

adj

Relating to Taoism, the Chinese philosophical and religious tradition centred on living in harmony with the Tao.

tap

noun

A fitting on a pipe or container that controls the flow of a liquid or gas.

tapas

noun

Small Spanish savoury dishes served as snacks or appetisers, often shared among a group.

tape

verb

To fasten, seal, or attach something using adhesive tape.

taper

verb

To become gradually narrower toward one end.

tapestry

noun

A thick, woven fabric, often decorated with pictures or patterns, traditionally hung on walls.

tapeworm

noun

A long, flat parasitic worm that lives in the intestines of humans and animals.

taping

noun

The act of recording something, or of sticking things together with adhesive tape.

tapioca

noun

A starchy substance extracted from the cassava root, used to make puddings and drinks.

tapped

adj

Fitted with a tap, or having had a tap or listening device attached.

tapping

noun

The act of striking something lightly and repeatedly.

taps

name

A bugle call played by the US military at day's end, at flag ceremonies, and at funerals.

tar

noun

A thick, dark, sticky substance made from coal or wood, used in roofing and road-making.

Tara

name

An Irish place name, associated with the Hill of Tara, seat of ancient Irish kings.

Taran

name

A male given name.

Tarantino

noun

A person from Taranto, a city in southern Italy.

tarantula

noun

A large, hairy spider found mainly in the tropics and warmer regions of the Americas.

tardiness

noun

The habit or state of being late.

TARDIS

noun

The time-and-space-traveling ship used by the Doctor in the British TV series Doctor Who, famous for looking like a small police box outside but being enormous inside.

tardy

adj

Arriving or happening later than expected; late.

tarek

noun

Synonym of pearl mullet.

target

noun

Something aimed at, such as a mark used for shooting practice.

targeted

adj

Aimed specifically at a particular person, group, or outcome, rather than general.

targeting

noun

The act or process of aiming something, or directing effort, at a specific person, group, or objective.

tariff

noun

A tax charged by a government on goods coming into or leaving a country.

Tariq

name

A male given name of Arabic origin.

tarmac

noun

A tar-based surfacing material used on roads, or the road surface itself.

tarn

noun

A small mountain lake, especially one formed in a hollow left by a glacier.

tarnation

intj

(old-fashioned, informal) Used to express anger, annoyance, or surprise, as a mild substitute for a stronger curse.

tarnish

noun

A dull discoloured film that forms on the surface of a metal, especially one exposed to air.

tarnished

adj

Discoloured or dulled, especially of metal.

taro

noun

A tropical plant grown mainly for its starchy underground stem, which is eaten as food and resembles a potato.

tarot

noun

A deck of 78 illustrated cards traditionally used for fortune-telling or divination.

tarp

noun

A large waterproof sheet, especially one used to cover or protect something.

Tarr

name

An English surname, possibly derived from a place name or occupational term.

tarragon

noun

A herb with slender aromatic leaves, related to wormwood, used to flavour food.

tarry

verb

(literary) To stay somewhere longer than planned, or to delay leaving.

tarsus

noun

The group of small bones forming the ankle and upper foot in humans and other vertebrates.

tart

adj

Having a sharp, sour taste.

tartan

noun

A woven pattern of criss-crossing coloured stripes, traditionally associated with Scottish clans, or fabric with this pattern.

tartar

noun

A hard yellowish deposit that builds up on teeth from unremoved plaque.

tartare

adj

Finely chopped and served raw, especially of meat or fish.

Tartarus

name

In Greek and Roman mythology, the deep, dark abyss below the underworld where the wicked and defeated gods (like the Titans) were punished.

Tarun

name

A male given name of Sanskrit origin, common in India.

Taryn

name

A female given name.

Tarzan

name

A fictional hero raised by apes in the African jungle, known for his strength and agility.

TAS

verb

In gaming slang, to make or take part in a tool-assisted speedrun — completing a video game unusually fast or precisely with the help of emulator tools like slow-motion or frame-by-frame input.

tase

verb

To use a taser (an electroshock stun gun) on someone.

taser

noun

A handheld device that fires electrified darts or delivers a shock to temporarily disable a person.

Tash

name

A shortened, informal form of the name Natasha.

Tasha

name

A shortened, informal form of the name Natasha.

task

noun

A specific piece of work that needs to be done.

taskmaster

noun

Someone who assigns work to others and expects it to be done, often demanding or strict about it.

Tasmania

name

An island state of Australia off its southeastern coast, with Hobart as its capital.

tassel

noun

A hanging bundle of threads or cords, tied at one end, used as decoration.

taste

noun

The sensation produced when food or drink is detected by the tongue, or the ability to perceive it.

tasteful

adj

Showing good judgement or refinement in style, appearance, or behaviour.

tasteless

adj

Having no flavour; bland.

taster

noun

A person whose job is to sample food or drink to judge its quality, or to check it isn't poisoned before it reaches someone important.

tasting

noun

An organised event where people sample small amounts of food or drink, usually to compare and judge them.

tasty

adj

Having a good, enjoyable flavour.

tat

noun

(informal, chiefly British) Cheap, tacky, or poor-quality items; junk or trinkets.

Tata

name

A surname of Indian origin, most notably borne by the founders of the Tata business conglomerate.

tate

noun

Of video games, a vertical mode.

tater

noun

An informal word for a potato.

taters

adj

British slang meaning very cold.

Tates

name

An English surname, a patronymic form of Tate, itself from an Old Norse name meaning "cheerful."

Tatiana

name

A feminine given name of Russian origin, derived from the Roman family name Tatius.

Tatsumi

name

A Japanese given name and surname, often meaning "born in the year of the dragon-snake."

tattered

adj

Torn into rags or shreds; ragged from wear or damage.

tatters

noun

Torn scraps or shreds of cloth, paper, or similar material.

tattle

verb

To gossip or chatter, especially about other people's business.

tattletale

noun

(informal, chiefly North American) Someone, especially a child, who reports on other people's misbehaviour, often just to get them in trouble.

tattoo

noun

A permanent design made on the skin by injecting ink with a needle.

tattooed

adj

Marked with one or more tattoos.

tattooing

noun

The practice or process of marking skin permanently with ink using a needle.

Tatum

name

A habitational surname from Old English.

Tau

name

A surname found in Chinese and African communities, also the name of a Greek letter used as a mathematical constant.

Taub

name

A Jewish surname derived from the Yiddish word for "dove."

taunt

verb

To mock or provoke someone with insulting remarks, often to get a reaction.

taunting

adj

Mocking or provocative in tone.

Taurus

noun

The second sign of the zodiac, represented by the bull, covering roughly late April to late May.

taut

adj

Pulled or stretched tight, with no slack.

tavern

noun

An establishment that serves alcoholic drinks, and sometimes food, often with a traditional or old-fashioned feel.

tawdry

adj

Cheap-looking and showy; gaudy in a low-quality way.

Tawney

name

An English surname, a variant of "Tawny," originally describing someone with a tan or brownish complexion.

Tawni

name

A feminine given name, a modern spelling variant of "Tawny," referring to a warm brownish color.

tawny

adj

Of a light brownish-orange colour, like a lion's coat.

tax

noun

Money that a government requires people or businesses to pay, used to fund public services.

taxation

noun

The system or process by which a government collects taxes.

taxed

adj

Subject to a tax, or having had tax charged on it.

taxi

noun

A car that can be hired, along with a driver, to take passengers to a destination for a fare.

taxicab

noun

A car for hire with a driver, used to carry passengers for a fare; a taxi.

taxidermist

noun

A person whose craft is preserving and mounting animal skins to look lifelike for display.

taxidermy

noun

The craft of preserving, stuffing, and mounting animal skins so they look lifelike.

taxing

adj

Mentally or physically demanding; exhausting.

taxis

noun

The movement of an organism toward or away from a stimulus, such as light or chemicals.

taxman

noun

(informal) A tax collector, or the tax authority in general.

taxpayer

noun

A person or business that pays, or is required to pay, tax.

tay

noun

An informal or dialect spelling of tea, reflecting an older pronunciation.

Taylor

name

A common English and Scottish surname, originally an occupational name for someone who made or altered clothes (a tailor).

Taz

name

A nickname for someone very active, ferocious or with a great appetite.

tch

intj

A clicking sound made with the tongue against the teeth, written out to show annoyance or disapproval.

Tchaikovsky

name

A Russian surname, most famously borne by the 19th-century composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

te

noun

In solfège (the do-re-mi system used in music), the syllable for the seventh note of a major scale.

tea

noun

The dried leaves of the tea plant, or the hot drink made by steeping them in water.

teach

verb

To help someone learn a skill or subject by explaining or demonstrating it.

teacher

noun

A person whose job is to help students learn, especially in a school.

teaching

noun

A belief or principle put forward by a religious, philosophical, or other respected authority.

teacup

noun

A small cup, usually with a handle, used for drinking tea.