English dictionary — definitions & meanings

venthole

noun

A hole through which gas or air can escape.

venti

noun

The large drink size at Starbucks: twenty fluid ounces for a hot drink, or twenty-four for an iced one.

ventilate

verb

To let fresh air circulate through a space, replacing stale or stagnant air.

ventilation

noun

The replacement of stale or noxious air with fresh.

ventilator

noun

A device that circulates fresh air into a space and expels stale air.

venting

noun

The act of releasing gas, pressure, or built-up emotion.

ventral

adj

Related to the abdomen or stomach.

ventricle

noun

One of the two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out to the lungs and the rest of the body.

ventricular

adj

Relating to a ventricle, especially one of the heart's lower chambers.

ventriculus

noun

A digestive cavity such as a gizzard or stomach.

ventriloquism

noun

The performance skill of speaking without visibly moving the lips, so the voice appears to come from somewhere else, such as a puppet.

ventriloquist

noun

A performer who speaks without moving their lips so their voice seems to come from a puppet or dummy.

ventrum

noun

abdomen, belly (especially of an animal)

Ventura

name

A Spanish and Italian surname meaning "good fortune," and the name of a city in California.

venture

noun

A risky or bold undertaking whose outcome is uncertain.

venturer

noun

One who ventures; a traveller or explorer.

venturesome

adj

Adventurous; bold; willing to take risks.

venturing

noun

The act of daring to try or go somewhere risky.

venu

noun

A traditional transverse bamboo flute used in Indian classical music.

venue

noun

A place where an event, especially a sporting or entertainment event, is held.

Venus

name

The second planet from the Sun in our Solar System, named for the Roman goddess of love.

Ver

name

A short name or nickname, often a truncation of names such as Vernon or Veronica.

vera

name

A female given name of Russian origin.

veracious

adj

Truthful; speaking the truth.

veracity

noun

The quality of being truthful or accurate.

Veracruz

name

A state and port city on the Gulf coast of Mexico.

veranda

noun

A roofed, open-sided platform or porch attached to the outside of a house.

verb

noun

A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being.

verbal

adj

Relating to words, especially spoken rather than written ones.

verbalise

verb

Non-Oxford British English standard spelling of verbalize.

verbalism

noun

The expression of a concept in words; the wording used in such an expression

verbalize

verb

To speak or to use words to express.

verbally

adv

By speaking rather than writing.

verbatim

adv

Word for word, using exactly the same wording as the original.

verbena

noun

Verbena, a genus of herbaceous plants of which several species are extensively cultivated for the great beauty of their flowers; vervain.

verbiage

noun

Excessive or unnecessary words, especially language that is wordy and says little.

verbose

adj

Containing or using more words than necessary; long-winded, wordy.

verbosity

noun

The excess use of words, especially using more than are needed for clarity or precision.

verdant

adj

Green in colour.

Verde

adj

Describing a financial option that can only be exercised on set dates spaced further apart than every quarter — typically once a year.

Verdi

name

An Italian surname, most famously that of the composer Giuseppe Verdi.

verdict

noun

A jury's or judge's formal decision on a case.

verdigris

noun

A blue-green patina or rust that forms on copper-containing metals.

verdun

noun

A style of rapier, a long, slender thrusting sword, popular in the 16th century.

verdure

noun

The greenness of lush or growing vegetation (greenery); also: the vegetation itself.

verdurous

adj

Freshly green; verdant; covered with verdure, or consisting of it.

Vere

name

An English surname and given name, historically borne by the noble de Vere family.

Verena

name

A feminine given name of Latin origin, possibly meaning "truthful."

verge

noun

The point right before something happens; the brink or edge.

verger

noun

A church official who looks after the building and assists during services.

vergil

name

A male given name from Latin, of rare usage, variant of Virgil.

veridical

adj

Pertaining to an experience, perception, or interpretation that accurately represents reality.

veridicality

noun

The degree to which something, such as a knowledge structure, is veridical; the degree to which an experience, perception, or interpretation accurately represents reality.

verifiable

adj

Able to be verified or confirmed.

verification

noun

The act of confirming that something is true, accurate, or genuine.

verified

adj

Confirmed as true, accurate, or authentic.

verifier

noun

A device used to verify that a punched card had been punched correctly.

verify

verb

To check or prove that something is true or accurate.

verily

adv

Truly; in fact (an old-fashioned or formal word for emphasis).

verisimilitude

noun

The property of seeming true, of resembling reality; resemblance to reality.

veritable

adj

Used to emphasize that something truly deserves the description given — a real, genuine example of it.

veritably

adv

In a veritable manner; in a way that truly and accurately describes something.

veritas

noun

Truth, especially in a lofty or philosophical sense (from Latin).

verity

noun

A fundamental or lasting truth.

verklempt

adj

Overcome with emotion, choked up.

Verma

name

A common North Indian surname.

Vermeer

name

A Dutch surname, notably that of the 17th-century painter Johannes Vermeer.

vermeil

adj

Bright scarlet, vermilion.

vermicelli

noun

Long, slender pasta, similar to spaghetti, only thinner.

vermilion

noun

A vivid orange-red color, originally made from a mineral pigment.

Vermillion

name

A place name used for several towns in the United States, and a surname, both derived from the bright red pigment of the same name.

vermin

noun

Small animals, especially rodents or insects, considered pests because they damage crops, spread disease, or cause a nuisance.

Vermont

name

A U.S. state in New England, known for its mountains and maple syrup, with Montpelier as its capital.

vermouth

noun

A fortified wine flavored with herbs and spices, often served as an aperitif or used in cocktails.

Vern

name

A masculine given name, a short form of Vernon.

Verna

name

A feminine given name, possibly from Latin "vernus," meaning "of spring."

vernacular

noun

The everyday, informal language spoken by ordinary people in a particular place, as opposed to formal or literary language.

Verne

name

Surname best known from Jules Verne, the French author often called a father of science fiction.

vernie

name

A diminutive of the male given name Vernon.

Vernon

name

A surname of Anglo-Norman origin, taken from a town of the same name in Normandy, France; also a common English given name.

Verona

name

A historic city in northern Italy, on the river Adige, famous as the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

veronica

name

A common female given name, associated with the legend of St Veronica and the cloth said to bear an image of Christ's face.

verruca

noun

A wart, especially one that grows on the foot, caused by a human papilloma virus.

Versace

name

The Italian luxury fashion house founded by designer Gianni Versace.

versaillais

adj

Of, from or relating to the city of Versailles, Yvelines department, Île-de-France, France or the famous palace located there.

Versailles

name

A city near Paris famous for its opulent royal palace, once home to the French monarchy.

versaillese

adj

Supporting the government of Versailles during the suppression of the Paris Commune of 1871.

versal

noun

An ornamental letter that begins a section.

versant

noun

A slope of a mountain or mountain ridge.

versatile

adj

Able to do many different things well, or adaptable to many different uses.

versatility

noun

The quality of being able to adapt to many different tasks, roles, or uses.

verse

noun

Writing arranged with rhythm and often rhyme, as in poetry.

versed

adj

Skilled or knowledgeable, usually through study or practice.

versifier

noun

One who versifies.

version

noun

One particular form of something that exists in multiple variants.

versus

prep

Against, or in opposition to, especially in a contest, match, or legal case.

vert

noun

In heraldry, the colour green, traditionally shown in engravings as diagonal lines.

vertebra

noun

Any one of the small bones that link together to form the spine.

vertebral

adj

Of or relating to a vertebra or the spine.

vertex

noun

A point where two or more lines, edges or curves meet; a corner of a shape or angle.

vertical

adj

Standing straight up, at a right angle to the ground or to a horizontal line.

vertically

adv

In an up-and-down direction, at a right angle to the horizon.

vertigo

noun

A spinning sensation and loss of balance, often triggered by heights or inner-ear problems.

vervain

noun

A wild flowering herb once believed to have healing and even magical properties.

verve

noun

Enthusiasm, rapture, spirit, or vigour, especially of imagination such as that which animates an artist, musician, or writer, in composing or performing.

very

adv

Used before an adjective or adverb to intensify it — to a high degree.

very good

adjective

Of a high standard, clearly better than average but short of excellent.

very much

adverb

To a great degree; a lot. It strengthens a verb and normally comes after the verb or at the end of the clause.

very well

interjection

Used to say that you agree or consent, often reluctantly, and will go along with what has been proposed.

vesicate

verb

To blister; to raise blisters on.

vesicle

noun

A membrane-bound compartment found in a cell.

Vespa

noun

An Italian brand of motor scooter, known for its rounded, retro design.

Vespasian

name

The name of a Roman emperor, Titus Flavius Vespasianus, who ruled from 69 to 79 CE and began construction of the Colosseum.

vesper

noun

The bell that summons worshippers to vespers; the vesper-bell.

vespers

noun

An evening prayer service in the Christian church, one of the traditional canonical hours.

vespertide

noun

the evening, especially (Christianity) the time at which vespers is prayed

vessel

noun

A ship, boat, or other craft built for travelling on water (or, more loosely, air or space).

vest

noun

A sleeveless piece of clothing worn over a shirt, often as part of a suit (called a "waistcoat" in British English).

Vesta

name

The Roman goddess of the hearth, home, and family life.

vestal

adj

Chaste and pure, especially associated with virginity or purity.

vested

adj

Legally fixed or guaranteed, with no further conditions to be met.

vested interest

noun

A personal stake in how something turns out, which gives you a reason to argue for a particular outcome and may make your advice unreliable.

vestiary

noun

A dressing room or storeroom for clothes, especially in a church or other religious house.

vestibule

noun

A small entrance hall or lobby leading into a larger room or building.

vestige

noun

A mark left on the earth by a foot.

vestment

noun

A robe, gown, or other article of clothing worn as an indication of office.

vestry

noun

A room in a church where the clergy put on their vestments and where these are stored; also used for meetings and classes.

vesture

noun

A covering of, or like, clothing.

Vesuvius

name

An active volcano near Naples, Italy, famous for the eruption in 79 CE that buried Pompeii.

vet

noun

A doctor who treats animals; short for veterinarian.

veteran

noun

Someone with long experience in a particular field or activity.

veterans

noun

People who have served in the armed forces, especially those who are no longer serving.

veterinarian

noun

A doctor trained and qualified to treat animals.

veterinary

adj

Relating to the medical treatment of animals.

veto

noun

The official power to reject or block a decision, law, or proposal.

Vette

noun

An informal shortening of "Corvette", the Chevrolet sports car.

vetted

adj

Having been carefully checked and approved.

vetting

noun

The process of carefully checking or investigating someone or something before approval.

vex

verb

To annoy or irritate someone.

vexation

noun

The action of vexing, annoying, or irritating someone or something; (countable) an instance of this.

vexatious

adj

Causing vexation or annoyance; teasing; troublesome.

vexed

adj

Annoyed, irritated, or troubled.

vexer

noun

One who vexes; one who annoys

vexing

adj

Causing annoyance or frustration.

VHS

noun

A once-standard videotape format used for recording and playing back video on home cassette players.

Vi

name

A short, informal form of the female given names Violet or Viola.

via

prep

By way of; passing through a particular place on the way somewhere else.

viability

noun

The quality of being workable or capable of succeeding; the ability to survive or function properly.

viable

adj

Capable of working successfully; realistic and practical.

viaduct

noun

A long bridge, usually made up of a series of spans, that carries a road or railway across a valley or other low ground.