English dictionary — definitions & meanings

Vargas

name

A Spanish and Portuguese surname, originally denoting someone from a sloping or hilly place.

variability

noun

The state or characteristic of being variable.

variable

adj

Likely to change, or capable of being changed.

variableness

noun

The quality or state of being variable.

variance

noun

A difference between what was expected and what actually happened.

variant

noun

A form of something that differs slightly from a standard or original version.

variate

noun

Random variable.

variation

noun

A change, or the act of changing, in the form, amount, or quality of something.

varicose

adj

Describing veins that are abnormally swollen, twisted, and enlarged, usually in the legs.

varied

adj

Made up of many different kinds or types; diverse.

variegate

verb

To add variety to something.

variegated

adj

Streaked, spotted, or otherwise marked with a variety of color.

variety

noun

A deviation or difference.

varify

verb

To make different, or to vary or variegate

variola

noun

Smallpox (Orthopoxvirus variola).

various

det

More than one; several different (things or people).

variously

adv

In various ways; diversely.

varlet

noun

A servant or attendant.

varmint

noun

A wild animal considered a pest, especially one that threatens crops or livestock.

Varner

name

An English surname, an occupational name related to guarding or warning.

varnish

noun

A clear liquid that dries to form a hard, glossy protective coating on wood or other surfaces.

varsity

noun

The main sports team representing a school, college, or university, as opposed to junior or reserve teams.

Varun

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, referring to Varuna, a Hindu god associated with the sky and waters.

varvara

name

A transliteration of the Belarusian, Macedonian, Russian, or Ukrainian female given name Варва́ра (Varvára).

varve

noun

An annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock.

vary

verb

To change or differ, especially over time or from one instance to another.

varying

adj

Differing from one instance to another; changing.

Vas

name

A short given name or nickname, often a diminutive of Vasily or Vasilios.

vasa

noun

Any parrot of the genus Coracopsis, native to Madagascar, known for its dark, almost black plumage.

vasal

adj

Relating to a vessel (of the body).

vascular

adj

Relating to the vessels — such as veins, arteries, or plant tubes — that carry fluids like blood or sap through a living body.

vasculitis

noun

A group of diseases featuring inflammation of the wall of blood vessels.

vase

noun

A decorative container, usually tall and open at the top, used mainly to hold and display flowers.

vasectomy

noun

A surgical procedure that cuts or seals the tubes carrying sperm, used as a permanent form of male birth control.

vaseline

verb

To smear or coat something with Vaseline (petroleum jelly), often to lubricate or waterproof it.

vasiform

adj

Having the form of a vessel or duct.

Vasily

name

A Russian masculine given name derived from the Greek "Basileios," meaning "royal" or "kingly."

vasodilation

noun

Dilation or widening of the blood vessels.

vasomotor

adj

Of or pertaining to the regulation of the diameter of blood vessels.

Vasquez

name

A Spanish surname, a variant spelling of Vázquez.

vasquine

noun

A type of frock worn in Spain between the 17th and 19th centuries.

vassal

noun

In the feudal system, someone granted land by a lord in return for loyalty and service.

vassalage

noun

The state of being a vassal; fealty.

Vassar

name

A surname, notably that of Vassar College, a liberal arts college in New York founded by Matthew Vassar.

vast

adj

Extremely large in size, extent, or amount.

vastly

adv

By a very large amount; greatly.

vastness

noun

The quality of being enormous in size or extent.

Vasu

name

A masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "wealth" or "excellent."

Vasya

name

A Russian diminutive form of the name Vasily.

vat

noun

A large container, typically used for holding or processing liquids such as wine, beer, or dye.

Vatican

name

The independent city-state in Rome that serves as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and residence of the Pope.

vaticinate

verb

To predict or foretell future events; to prophesy or presage.

vaticinator

noun

Someone who vaticinates; a prophet.

vato

noun

A casual, informal way to refer to a guy or dude, especially among Mexican-American and Chicano speakers.

vaudeville

noun

A style of variety theatre made up of unrelated acts — singers, comedians, dancers, acrobats — popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Vaughan

name

A Welsh surname and given name meaning "small" or "little."

Vaughn

name

A variant spelling of Vaughan, a Welsh surname and given name meaning "small."

vault

noun

A strong, secure room, especially one used to store money, valuables, or important records.

vaultful

noun

As much as a vault will hold.

vaulting

noun

The practice of constructing vaults, or a particular method of such construction.

vaunt

verb

To speak boastfully.

vaunter

noun

Someone who vaunts, who brags; a braggart.

vauntingly

adv

So as to vaunt; with boastful display.

Vauxhall

name

An area of London, England, in the borough of Lambeth.

Vayu

name

A name from Hindu mythology referring to Vayu, the god of wind.

VC

noun

Venture capital: money invested in early-stage companies that are considered high-risk but capable of rapid growth, usually in exchange for a stake in the business.

ve

noun

The name of the Cyrillic letter В/в.

veal

noun

Meat from a young calf.

Vecchio

name

An Italian surname meaning "old."

vector

noun

In math and physics, a quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and a direction.

Veda

name

Any of the ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, forming the earliest layer of Sanskrit literature.

vee

noun

The name of the letter V.

veena

noun

A stringed instrument with a long fretted neck and gourd resonators, used in Indian classical music.

veer

verb

To change direction suddenly, especially while moving.

veering

noun

A motion that veers; a sudden swerve.

veg

noun

Short for "vegetable" or "vegetables," especially in British English.

Vega

name

The brightest star in the constellation Lyra, and one of the three stars in the Summer Triangle.

vegan

adj

Containing no animal products at all, such as meat, eggs, dairy, or leather.

Vegas

name

Short, informal name for Las Vegas, Nevada.

vegetable

noun

A plant, or part of a plant, grown to be eaten — such as the leaves, roots, or stems — that isn't classified as a fruit, grain, herb, or spice.

vegetal

adj

Capable of growth and reproduction, but not feeling or reason (often opposed to sensible and rational).

vegetarian

noun

A person who doesn't eat meat or fish.

vegetation

noun

Plant life in general, especially as found in a particular area.

vegetational

adj

Of or pertaining to vegetation.

vegetative

adj

Relating to plants, especially their growth.

vegetive

adj

Of or pertaining to vegetation.

veggie

noun

An informal word for a vegetable.

vehemence

noun

An intense concentration, force or power.

vehement

adj

Showing strong feelings; passionate; forceful or intense.

vehemently

adv

In a forceful, passionate way, especially when disagreeing or objecting.

vehicle

noun

A machine used to carry or transport people, goods, or objects, such as a car, truck, or bus.

vehicular

adj

Relating to or involving vehicles, especially cars and trucks.

veil

noun

A piece of thin fabric worn to cover the face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons.

veiled

adj

Covered by a veil.

veiling

noun

The act of covering with a veil.

vein

noun

A blood vessel that carries blood from the body back toward the heart.

veining

noun

An arrangement of veins or veinlike markings.

vel

noun

The logical symbol "or" (∨), used to join two statements where at least one must be true.

Velasco

name

A Spanish surname, likely derived from a pre-Roman word related to crows or ravens.

Velcro

noun

A fastening system made of two fabric strips — one covered in tiny hooks, the other in tiny loops — that grip together when pressed and pull apart easily.

Velez

name

A Spanish surname, historically a patronymic form related to "Vela."

velleity

noun

The lowest degree of desire or volition; a total lack of effort to act.

vellication

noun

An instance of tickling or minor irritation.

Velma

name

A feminine given name, popular in the early 20th century and later associated with a character in "Scooby-Doo."

velocipede

noun

An early two-wheeled conveyance upon which one rode astride a wooden frame propelled by means of pushing the feet against the ground.

velociraptor

noun

A small, fast-moving meat-eating dinosaur with sickle-shaped claws, known from fossils found in Mongolia and China dating to the late Cretaceous period, roughly 71-75 million years ago.

velocity

noun

A measurement of how fast something is moving in a given direction — speed combined with direction.

velour

noun

A soft, plush woven fabric similar to velvet but usually with a coarser texture.

velutinous

adj

Having a layer of soft short hairs, like velvet.

velvet

noun

A closely woven fabric with a thick, short, soft pile on one side, traditionally made of silk but now often cotton or synthetic fibre.

velvety

adj

Soft, smooth, and pleasant to the touch or taste, like velvet.

Ven

name

A short given name or nickname, often a diminutive of names such as Venkat or Venus.

vena

noun

A vein, especially as used in anatomical Latin terms for specific veins.

venal

adj

Venous; pertaining to veins.

venality

noun

The fact or state of being for sale, especially with reference to bribes or corruption.

vend

verb

Synonym of sell, (now especially) to sell through a vending machine.

vendee

noun

The person to whom something is sold; a buyer; a purchaser.

vender

noun

Dated spelling of vendor.

vendetta

noun

A long-running, bitter feud driven by a desire for revenge, often passed down between families or groups.

vendition

noun

The act of vending or selling; sale.

vendor

noun

A person or company that sells goods or services.

veneer

noun

A thin decorative layer of a finer material, usually wood, glued over a cheaper surface underneath.

veneering

noun

An application of veneer.

venerable

adj

Commanding great respect because of age, wisdom, or long-standing achievement.

venerate

verb

To treat with great respect and deference.

venerated

adj

Regarded with deep respect from others.

veneration

noun

Deep respect or reverence, often bordering on religious devotion.

venerational

adj

Of or relating to veneration.

venerative

adj

Of or relating to veneration.

venereal

adj

Relating to sexual intercourse, especially diseases transmitted through it.

venerean

adj

Devoted to the offices of Venus, or love; venereal.

venereous

adj

venereal (of diseases)

venesection

noun

Cutting open or exposing a vein; a phlebotomy.

Venetian

adj

Relating to the city of Venice or its surrounding Veneto region in Italy.

venezia

name

Synonym of Venice (“the capital city of Veneto, Italy”).

Venezuela

name

A country on the northern coast of South America.

Venezuelan

noun

A person from Venezuela or of Venezuelan descent.

vengeance

noun

Punishment inflicted in return for a wrong or injury; revenge.

vengeful

adj

Wanting revenge; driven by a desire to punish someone who has wronged you.

venial

adj

Able to be forgiven; worthy of forgiveness.

Venice

name

A city in northern Italy famous for its canals.

venipuncture

noun

The puncture of a vein, usually to draw a blood sample, collect a blood donation, or insert an intravenous line.

venire

noun

A writ of venire facias.

venison

noun

The meat of a deer, or more broadly, meat from any wild game animal that was hunted rather than farmed.

Venkat

name

A masculine given name of South Indian origin, a short form of Venkatesh, referring to a Hindu deity.

vennel

noun

An alley; a narrow street.

venom

noun

A poisonous substance produced by an animal, such as a snake or scorpion, and delivered through a bite or sting to attack prey or defend itself.

venomous

adj

Capable of injecting venom, typically by biting or stinging.

vent

noun

An opening that allows air, gas, or smoke to pass through or escape.

vented

adjective

Fitted with a small opening that lets air, gas, or steam pass through.