English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

Varga

name

A Hungarian surname, an occupational name for a cobbler or tanner.

Vargas

name

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

variability

noun

The quality of being variable, or of changing often.

variable

adj

Likely to change, or capable of being changed.

variableness

noun

How changeable or inconsistent something is.

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

A variable whose values occur by chance.

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 make something more varied.

variegated

adj

Marked with streaks, spots or patches of different colours.

variety

noun

A difference from what is usual or expected.

varify

verb

To change something or make it different.

variola

noun

Smallpox, a serious infectious disease.

various

det

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

variously

adv

In different ways.

varlet

noun

A person who serves or helps another, especially in the past.

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

A layer of rock or sediment formed by material deposited in a single year.

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

Connected with a blood vessel or similar tube in 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

(medicine) A set of illnesses in which the walls of blood vessels become inflamed.

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

(medicine) The widening of blood vessels.

vasomotor

adj

(medicine) Relating to how the width of blood vessels is controlled.

Vasquez

name

A Spanish surname, a variant spelling of Vázquez.

vasquine

noun

A style of dress worn by women in Spain from the 1600s to the 1800s.

vassal

noun

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

vassalage

noun

The condition of being a vassal, or the loyalty a vassal owes their lord.

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

(formal) To say what will happen in the future.

vaticinator

noun

(formal) A person who predicts future events.

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

The full amount that a vault can contain.

vaulting

noun

The building of arched roofs or ceilings, or a particular way of doing this.

vaunt

verb

To talk about yourself or your own achievements with too much pride.

vaunter

noun

A person who boasts a lot about themselves.

vauntingly

adv

In a boastful or proud manner.

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 sudden change of direction.

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.

veganism

noun

A way of living that avoids eating animal products and, more broadly, avoids using anything made from or tested on animals.

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

Able to grow and reproduce but without feeling or thought, unlike an animal.

vegetarian

noun

A person who doesn't eat meat or fish.

vegetarianism

noun

The practice of following a vegetarian diet.

vegetation

noun

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

vegetational

adj

Relating to the plants growing in a particular area.

vegetative

adj

Relating to plants, especially their growth.

vegetive

adj

Relating to plants or plant life.

veggie

noun

An informal word for a vegetable.

vehemence

noun

Great strength, force or intensity.

vehement

adj

Expressing very strong feelings in a forceful way.

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 action of putting a veil over something.

vein

noun

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

veining

noun

A pattern formed by veins or marks resembling veins.

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

A very weak wish, so faint that no one ever acts on it.

vellication

noun

An occurrence of tickling or slight 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 old type of two-wheeled vehicle that a rider sat astride and moved along by pushing their 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.

velodrome

noun

An indoor arena with a banked oval track built for cycle racing.

velour

noun

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

velutinous

adj

Covered in short, soft hairs that feel 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

Relating to the veins in the body.

venality

noun

The state of being willing to act dishonestly for money, especially by taking bribes.

vend

verb

To sell something, especially nowadays by means of a vending machine.

vendee

noun

Someone to whom something has been sold; a buyer or purchaser.

vender

noun

A 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 selling something.

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

The act or process of applying veneer.

venerable

adj

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

venerate

verb

To show someone great respect and honour them highly.

venerated

adj

Held in very high regard by other people.

veneration

noun

Deep respect or reverence, often bordering on religious devotion.

venerational

adj

Connected with showing deep respect for someone or something.

venerative

adj

Showing, or connected with, deep admiration and respect.

venereal

adj

Relating to sexual intercourse, especially diseases transmitted through it.

venerean

adj

Concerned with love or sexual matters.

venereous

adj

Relating to diseases passed on through sexual contact.

venesection

noun

A medical procedure in which a vein is cut open, usually to remove blood.

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

Easily excused or forgiven.

Venice

name

A city in northern Italy famous for its canals.

venipuncture

noun

The act of piercing a vein with a needle, usually to take blood or set up a drip.

venire

noun

(law) A court order requiring people to appear so that a jury can be chosen.

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

A narrow lane or alley between buildings.