-
abase
cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
-
abash
cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious
-
abate
become less in amount or intensity
-
abbreviate
shorten
-
abdicate
give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
-
aberrant
markedly different from an accepted norm
-
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
-
abet
assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
-
abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
-
abhor
find repugnant
-
abide
dwell
-
abject
of the most contemptible kind
-
abjure
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
ablution
the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels
-
abnegation
the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
-
abode
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
-
abolish
do away with
-
abominable
unequivocally detestable
-
abominate
find repugnant
-
aboriginal
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
-
abortive
failing to accomplish an intended result
-
abrasive
causing abrasion
-
abridge
lessen, diminish, or curtail
-
abrogate
revoke formally
-
abscission
the act of cutting something off
-
abscond
run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
-
absolute
perfect or complete or pure
-
absolve
grant remission of a sin to
-
abstain
choose not to consume
-
abstemious
marked by temperance in indulgence
-
abstinence
the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)
-
abstract
existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment
-
abstruse
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
abusive
characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment
-
abut
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
-
abysmal
resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be unmeasurable
-
abyss
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
-
academic
associated with academia or an academy
-
accede
yield to another's wish or opinion
-
accelerate
move faster
-
accessible
capable of being reached
-
accessory
a supplementary component that improves capability
-
acclaim
enthusiastic approval
-
acclimate
get used to a certain climate
-
acclivity
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
-
accolade
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
-
accommodate
have room for; hold without crowding
-
accomplice
a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan)
-
accord
concurrence of opinion
-
accost
speak to someone
-
accoutre
provide with military equipment
-
accretion
an increase by natural growth or addition
-
accrue
grow by addition
-
acerbity
a sharp bitterness
-
acetic
relating to or containing acetic acid
-
acidulous
being sour to the taste
-
acknowledge
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
-
acme
the highest point (of something)
-
acne
an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones
-
acoustics
the study of the physical properties of sound
-
acquiesce
to agree or express agreement
-
acquittal
a judgment of not guilty
-
acrid
strong and sharp;"the pungent taste of radishes"
-
acrimonious
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
-
acrophobia
a morbid fear of great heights
-
actuarial
of or relating to the work of an actuary
-
actuary
someone versed in the collection and interpretation of numerical data (especially someone who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums)
-
actuate
put in motion or move to act
-
acuity
sharpness of vision; the visual ability to resolve fine detail (usually measured by a Snellen chart)
-
acumen
shrewdness shown by keen insight
-
acute
ending in a sharp point
-
adage
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
-
adamant
very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
-
adapt
make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
-
addendum
textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
-
addiction
being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
-
addle
mix up or confuse
-
address
the place where a person or organization can be found or communicated with
-
adept
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
-
adhere
stick to firmly
-
adherent
someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
-
adjacent
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
adjoin
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
-
adjourn
close at the end of a session
-
adjunct
something added to another thing but not an essential part of it
-
adjuration
a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
-
adjutant
an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
-
admonish
take to task
-
adore
love intensely
-
adorn
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
adroit
quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
-
adulation
servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
-
adulterate
corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
-
advent
arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
-
adventitious
associated by chance and not an integral part
-
adversary
someone who offers opposition
-
adverse
in an opposing direction
-
adversity
a state of misfortune or affliction
-
advert
give heed (to)
-
advocacy
active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something
-
advocate
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
-
aegis
armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass
-
aeon
the longest division of geological time
-
aerie
the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
-
aery
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
-
aesthetic
concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
-
affable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
affected
acted upon; influenced
-
affidavit
written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath
-
affiliation
the act of becoming formally connected or joined
-
affinity
a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
-
affirmation
the act of affirming or asserting or stating something
-
affliction
a cause of great suffering and distress
-
affluence
abundant wealth
-
affront
a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
-
afterlife
life after death
-
agape
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
-
agenda
a list of matters to be taken up (as at a meeting)
-
agglomeration
the act of collecting in a mass; the act of agglomerating
-
aggrandize
add details to
-
aggregate
a sum total of many heterogenous things taken together
-
aghast
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
-
agility
the gracefulness of a person or animal that is quick and nimble
-
agitate
move or cause to move back and forth
-
agnostic
a person who claims that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God (but does not deny that God might exist)
-
agog
highly excited
-
agrarian
relating to rural matters
-
airy
open to or abounding in fresh air
-
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
-
alchemy
a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times
-
alcove
a small recess opening off a larger room
-
alias
a name that has been assumed temporarily
-
alienate
arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness
-
alimentary
of or providing nourishment
-
alimony
court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another after they are separated
-
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
-
allege
report or maintain
-
allegiance
the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
-
allegory
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
-
alleviate
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
alliteration
use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse
-
allocate
distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose
-
alloy
a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten
-
allude
make a more or less disguised reference to
-
allure
the power to entice or attract through personal charm
-
alluvial
of or relating to alluvium
-
alms
money or goods contributed to the poor
-
aloft
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
-
aloof
remote in manner
-
altercation
noisy quarrel
-
altruistic
showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others
-
amalgam
a combination or blend of diverse things
-
amalgamate
to bring or combine together or with something else
-
amass
collect or gather
-
amazon
a large strong and aggressive woman
-
ambidextrous
equally skillful with each hand
-
ambience
the atmosphere of an environment
-
ambiguous
having more than one possible meaning
-
ambivalence
mixed feelings or emotions
-
amble
walk leisurely
-
ambrosia
(classical mythology) the food and drink of the gods; mortals who ate it became immortal
-
ambulatory
able to walk about
-
ambush
the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
-
ameliorate
to make better
-
amenable
disposed or willing to comply
-
amend
make amendments to
-
amenities
things that make you comfortable and at ease
-
amiable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
amicable
characterized by friendship and good will
-
amiss
in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner
-
amity
a state of friendship and cordiality
-
amnesia
partial or total loss of memory
-
amnesty
a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
-
amok
wildly; without self-control
-
amoral
-
amorous
inclined toward or displaying love
-
amorphous
having no definite form or distinct shape
-
amphibian
cold-blooded vertebrate typically living on land but breeding in water; aquatic larvae undergo metamorphosis into adult form
-
amphitheater
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which contests and spectacles are held
-
ample
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
-
amplify
increase the volume of
-
amputate
remove surgically
-
amuck
wildly; without self-control
-
amulet
a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
-
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
-
analgesia
absence of the sense of pain without loss of consciousness
-
analgesic
capable of relieving pain
-
analogous
similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar
-
analogy
drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect
-
anarchist
an advocate of anarchism
-
anarchy
a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
-
anathema
a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
-
ancestry
the descendants of one individual
-
anchor
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
-
ancillary
furnishing added support
-
anecdote
short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
-
anemia
a deficiency of red blood cells
-
anesthetic
a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations
-
anguish
extreme distress of body or mind
-
angular
having angles or an angular shape
-
animadversion
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
animated
having life or vigor or spirit
-
animosity
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
-
animus
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
-
annals
a chronological account of events in successive years
-
anneal
bring to a desired consistency, texture, or hardness by a process of gradually heating and cooling
-
annex
attach to
-
annihilate
kill in large numbers
-
annotate
add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
-
annuity
income from capital investment paid in a series of regular payments
-
annul
cancel officially
-
anodyne
capable of relieving pain
-
anoint
administer an oil or ointment to ; often in a religious ceremony of blessing
-
anointment
the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
-
anomalous
deviating from the general or common order or type
-
anomaly
deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
-
anonymity
the state of being anonymous
-
antagonism
an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility
-
antecede
be earlier in time; go back further
-
antecedent
a preceding occurrence or cause or event
-
antediluvian
of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
-
anthem
a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
-
anthology
a collection of selected literary passages
-
anthropoid
resembling human beings
-
anthropologist
a social scientist who specializes in anthropology
-
anthropomorphic
suggesting human characteristics for animals or inanimate things
-
anticlimax
a disappointing decline after a previous rise
-
antidote
a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
-
antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
-
antiquated
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
-
antique
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
-
antiquity
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
-
antiseptic
thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms
-
antithesis
exact opposite
-
antler
deciduous horn of a member of the deer family
-
anvil
a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering
-
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
-
ape
any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
-
aperture
a natural opening in something
-
apex
the highest point (of something)
-
aphasia
inability to use or understand language (spoken or written) because of a brain lesion
-
aphorism
a short pithy instructive saying
-
apiarist
a farmer who keeps bees for their honey
-
apiary
a shed containing a number of beehives
-
apiculture
the cultivation of bees on a commercial scale for the production of honey
-
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
-
apocalyptic
of or relating to an apocalypse
-
apocryphal
being of questionable authenticity
-
apogee
apoapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the Earth
-
apolitical
politically neutral
-
apologist
a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution
-
apophthegm
a short pithy instructive saying
-
apoplexy
a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
apothecary
a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs
-
apothegm
a short pithy instructive saying
-
apotheosis
model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
-
appall
strike with disgust or revulsion
-
apparent
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
-
apparition
a ghostly appearing figure
-
appease
make peace with
-
appellation
identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
-
append
fix to; attach
-
application
the action of putting something into operation
-
apposite
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
appraise
consider in a comprehensive way
-
appreciate
be fully aware of; realize fully
-
apprehend
anticipate with dread or anxiety
-
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
-
apprise
inform (somebody) of something
-
approbation
official approval
-
appropriate
suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc
-
appurtenances
-
apropos
of an appropriate or pertinent nature
-
aptitude
inherent ability
-
aquiline
curved down like an eagle's beak
-
arable
(of farmland) capable of being farmed productively
-
arbiter
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
-
arbitrary
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
-
arbitrate
act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
-
arboreal
resembling a tree in form and branching structure
-
arboretum
a facility where trees and shrubs are cultivated for exhibition
-
arcade
a structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns
-
arcane
requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
-
arch
(architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
-
archaeology
the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures
-
archaic
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
-
archetype
something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies
-
archipelago
a group of many islands in a large body of water
-
archives
collection of records especially about an institution
-
ardor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
arduous
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
argot
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
-
aria
an elaborate song for solo voice
-
arid
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
-
aristocracy
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
-
armada
a large fleet
-
aromatic
having a strong pleasant odor
-
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
-
array
an impressive display
-
arrears
the state of being behind in payments
-
arrhythmic
lacking a steady rhythm
-
arrogance
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
-
arroyo
a stream or brook
-
arsenal
all the weapons and equipment that a country has
-
artery
a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
-
artful
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
-
articulate
express or state clearly
-
artifact
a man-made object taken as a whole
-
artifice
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
-
artisan
a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
-
artless
simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
-
ascendancy
the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
-
ascertain
learn or discover with certainty
-
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
-
ascribe
attribute or credit to
-
aseptic
free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms
-
ashen
anemic looking from illness or emotion
-
asinine
devoid of intelligence
-
askance
with suspicion or disapproval
-
askew
turned or twisted to one side
-
asperity
harshness of manner
-
aspersion
a disparaging remark
-
aspirant
an ambitious and aspiring young person
-
aspire
have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
-
assail
attack someone physically or emotionally
-
assay
a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc.
-
assent
to agree or express agreement
-
assert
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
assiduous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
assimilate
make similar
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
assumption
the act of assuming or taking for granted
-
assurance
a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
-
asteroid
any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)
-
astigmatism
(ophthalmology) impaired eyesight resulting usually from irregular conformation of the cornea; common in nearsighted people
-
astral
being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
-
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
-
astronomical
relating or belonging to the science of astronomy
-
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
asunder
into parts or pieces
-
asylum
a shelter from danger or hardship
-
asymmetric
characterized by asymmetry in the spatial arrangement or placement of parts or components
-
atavism
a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
-
atheistic
related to or characterized by or given to atheism
-
atone
turn away from sin or do penitence
-
atrocity
an act of atrocious cruelty
-
atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
-
attentive
taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention
-
attenuate
become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
-
attest
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
-
attire
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
-
attribute
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of an entity
-
attrition
the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction
-
atypical
not representative of a group, class, or type
-
audacious
disposed to venture or take risks
-
audit
examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
-
augment
enlarge or increase
-
augury
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
-
august
profoundly honored
-
aureole
the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere; visible as a white halo during a solar eclipse
-
auroral
characteristic of the dawn
-
auspicious
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
-
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
-
authenticate
establish the authenticity of something
-
authoritarian
characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty
-
authoritative
of recognized authority or excellence
-
autocratic
characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty
-
automaton
a mechanism that can move automatically
-
autonomous
existing as an independent entity
-
autopsy
an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease
-
auxiliary
furnishing added support
-
avalanche
a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain
-
avant-garde
radically new or original
-
avarice
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)
-
avenge
take revenge for a perceived wrong
-
aver
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
averse
(usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
-
aversion
the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away
-
avert
turn away or aside
-
aviary
a building where birds are kept
-
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
-
avocation
an auxiliary activity
-
avow
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
avuncular
being or relating to an uncle
-
awe
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
-
awful
exceptionally bad or displeasing
-
awl
a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching small holes
-
awry
turned or twisted to one side
-
axiom
(logic) a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof; its truth is assumed to be self-evident
-
azure
of a deep somewhat purplish blue color similar to that of a clear October sky
-
babble
utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way
-
bacchanal
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
-
Bacchanalia
an orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus (= Bacchus)
-
bacchanalian
used of riotously drunken merrymaking
-
backslide
drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
-
badger
sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws; widely distributed in the northern hemisphere
-
badinage
frivolous banter
-
baffle
be a mystery or bewildering to
-
bait
something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
-
baleful
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
balk
refuse to comply
-
ballast
any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
-
balm
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
-
balmy
mild and pleasant
-
banal
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
bandy
discuss lightly
-
bane
something causing misery or death
-
bank
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
-
bantering
cleverly amusing in tone
-
bar
a rigid piece of metal or wood; usually used as a fastening or obstruction or weapon
-
barb
a subsidiary point facing opposite from the main point that makes an arrowhead or spear hard to remove
-
bard
a lyric poet
-
barefaced
with no effort to conceal
-
bargain
an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
-
baroque
of or relating to or characteristic of the elaborately ornamented style of architecture, art, and music popular in Europe between 1600 and 1750
-
barrage
the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
-
barrister
a British or Canadian lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law on behalf of either the defense or prosecution
-
barterer
a trader who exchanges goods and not money
-
base
lowest support of a structure
-
bask
be exposed
-
bastard
the illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
-
bastion
projecting part of a rampart or other fortification
-
bate
flap the wings wildly or frantically; used of falcons
-
battalion
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
-
bauble
cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
-
bawdy
humorously vulgar
-
bearing
characteristic way of bearing one's body
-
beatific
marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint
-
beatitude
a state of supreme happiness
-
bedizen
decorate tastelessly
-
bedraggle
make wet and dirty, as from rain
-
beeline
the most direct route
-
befuddle
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
-
beget
make children
-
begrudge
be envious of; set one's heart on
-
beguile
attract; cause to be enamored
-
behemoth
someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
-
beholden
under a moral obligation to someone
-
behoove
be appropriate or necessary
-
behove
be appropriate or necessary
-
belabor
beat soundly
-
belated
after the expected or usual time; delayed
-
beleaguer
annoy persistently
-
belie
be in contradiction with
-
belittle
cause to seem less serious; play down
-
bellicose
having or showing a ready disposition to fight
-
belligerent
characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
-
bemoan
regret strongly
-
bemused
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
-
benediction
a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
-
benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
-
beneficent
doing or producing good
-
beneficial
promoting or enhancing well-being
-
beneficiary
the recipient of funds or other benefits
-
benefit
something that aids or promotes well-being
-
benevolent
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
-
benign
kindness of disposition or manner
-
benison
a spoken blessing
-
bent
used of the back and knees; stooped
-
bequeath
leave or give by will after one's death
-
berate
censure severely or angrily
-
bereaved
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
-
bereavement
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
-
bereft
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
-
berserk
one of the ancient Norse warriors legendary for working themselves into a frenzy before a battle and fighting with reckless savagery and insane fury
-
beseech
ask for or request earnestly
-
beset
assail or attack on all sides: "The zebra was beset by leopards"
-
besiege
surround so as to force to give up
-
besmirch
smear so as to make dirty or stained
-
bestial
resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility
-
bestow
give as a gift
-
betoken
be a signal for or a symptom of
-
betray
deliver to an enemy by treachery
-
betroth
give to in marriage
-
bevy
a flock of birds (especially when gathered close together on the ground)
-
beware
be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
-
bewitch
cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
-
bicameral
consisting of two chambers
-
bicker
argue over petty things
-
bid
propose a payment
-
biennial
occurring every second year
-
bifurcated
divided into or made up of two parts
-
bigot
a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own
-
bigotry
the intolerance and prejudice of a bigot
-
bilious
relating to or containing bile
-
bilk
cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
-
billow
a large sea wave
-
billowing
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
-
biting
causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used especially of cold
-
bitter
causing a sharp and acrid taste experience;"quinine is bitter"
-
bivouac
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
-
bizarre
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
-
blackball
vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
-
blanch
turn pale, as if in fear
-
bland
lacking taste or flavor or tang
-
blandishment
flattery intended to persuade
-
blare
make a loud noise
-
blase
nonchalantly unconcerned
-
blasphemy
blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)
-
blatant
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
-
bleak
unpleasantly cold and damp
-
blemish
a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
-
blight
any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
-
blighted
affected by blight; anything that mars or prevents growth or prosperity
-
bliss
a state of extreme happiness
-
blithe
carefree and happy and lighthearted
-
blithesome
carefree and happy and lighthearted
-
bloated
-
blotch
an irregularly shaped spot
-
blowhard
a very boastful and talkative person
-
bludgeon
a club used as a weapon
-
blue
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
-
blues
a state of depression
-
bluff
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
-
blunder
an embarrassing mistake
-
blunt
used of a knife or other blade; not sharp
-
blurt
utter impulsively
-
blush
become rosy or reddish
-
bluster
blow hard; be gusty, as of wind
-
bode
indicate by signs
-
bog
wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation; has poorer drainage than a swamp; soil is unfit for cultivation but can be cut and dried and used for fuel
-
bogus
fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
-
bohemian
a nonconformist writer or artist who lives an unconventional life
-
boisterous
full of rough and exuberant animal spirits
-
bolster
support and strengthen
-
bolt
a screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener
-
bombardment
an attack by dropping bombs
-
bombast
pompous or pretentious talk or writing
-
bombastic
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
bookish
characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading
-
boon
a desirable state
-
boor
a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
-
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
-
boost
increase
-
bore
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
-
botch
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
-
bouillon
a clear seasoned broth
-
bound
confined by bonds
-
bountiful
producing in abundance
-
bourgeois
(according to Marxist thought) being of the property-owning class and exploitive of the working class
-
bout
a contest or fight (especially between boxers or wrestlers)
-
bovine
any of various members of the genus Bos
-
bowdlerize
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
-
brackish
slightly salty (especially from containing a mixture of seawater and fresh water)
-
brag
show off
-
braggadocio
vain and empty boasting
-
braggart
a very boastful and talkative person
-
braid
make by braiding or interlacing
-
brand
a name given to a product or service
-
brandish
move or swing back and forth
-
bravado
a swaggering show of courage
-
brave
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
-
brawl
to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively
-
brawn
possessing muscular strength
-
brawny
(of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
-
brazen
unrestrained by convention or propriety
-
breach
an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)
-
breadth
the extent of something from side to side
-
breed
cause to procreate (animals)
-
brevity
the attribute of being brief or fleeting
-
bridle
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
-
brim
the top edge of a vessel or other container
-
brindled
having a grey or brown streak or a pattern or a patchy coloring; used especially of the patterned fur of cats
-
brink
the edge of a steep place
-
brisk
quick and energetic
-
bristle
a stiff hair
-
brittle
having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
-
broach
bring up a topic for discussion
-
brocade
thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern
-
brochure
a small book usually having a paper cover
-
broil
cook under a broiler
-
bromide
a trite or obvious remark
-
brooch
a decorative pin worn by women
-
brood
hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
-
brook
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
-
browbeat
discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
-
browse
feed as in a meadow or pasture
-
bruise
an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
-
brunt
main force of a blow etc
-
brusque
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
-
buccaneer
someone who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without having a commission from any sovereign nation
-
bucolic
relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle
-
buffet
a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
-
buffoon
a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
-
buffoonery
acting like a clown or buffoon
-
bugaboo
an imaginary monster used to frighten children
-
bulge
swell or protrude outwards
-
bulk
the property possessed by a large mass
-
bullion
a mass of precious metal
-
bully
discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
-
bulwark
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
-
bump
an impact (as from a collision)
-
bungle
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
-
buoyant
tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas
-
bureaucracy
a government that is administered primarily by bureaus that are staffed with nonelective officials
-
burgeon
grow and flourish
-
burlesque
a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)
-
burnish
polish and make shiny
-
bust
a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person
-
buttress
a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
-
buxom
(of a female body) healthily plump and vigorous
-
cabal
a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
-
cache
a hidden storage space (for money or provisions or weapons)
-
cacophonous
having an unpleasant sound
-
cadaver
the dead body of a human being
-
cadaverous
of or relating to a cadaver or corpse
-
cadence
(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
-
cadet
a military trainee (as at a military academy)
-
cajole
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
calamity
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
-
calculated
carefully thought out in advance
-
caldron
a very large pot that is used for boiling
-
caliber
diameter of a tube or gun barrel
-
calk
a metal cleat on the bottom front of a horseshoe to prevent slipping
-
calligraphy
beautiful handwriting
-
callous
having calluses; having skin made tough and thick through wear
-
callow
young and inexperienced
-
callus
an area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot)
-
calorific
heat-generating
-
calumny
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
-
camaraderie
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
-
cameo
engraving or carving in low relief on a stone (as in a brooch or ring)
-
camp
temporary lodgings in the country for travelers or vacationers
-
canard
a deliberately misleading fabrication
-
candor
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
-
canine
any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles
-
canker
an ulceration (especially of the lips or lining of the mouth)
-
canny
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
-
cant
a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force
-
cantankerous
stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
-
cantata
a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
-
canter
a smooth three-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop
-
canto
a major division of a long poem
-
canvass
get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
-
capacious
large in capacity
-
capacity
capability to perform or produce
-
capillary
any of the minute blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules
-
capitulate
surrender under agreed conditions
-
caprice
a sudden desire
-
capricious
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
-
capsize
overturn accidentally
-
caption
brief description accompanying an illustration
-
captious
tending to find and call attention to faults
-
carafe
a bottle with a stopper; for serving wine or water
-
carapace
hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
-
carat
the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75% gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
-
carcinogenic
causing or tending to cause cancer
-
cardinal
a variable color averaging a vivid red
-
cardiologist
a specialist in cardiology; a specialist in the structure and function and disorders of the heart
-
careen
pitching dangerously to one side
-
career
the particular occupation for which you are trained
-
carefree
free of trouble and worry and care
-
caricature
a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
-
carillon
set of bells hung in a bell tower
-
carnage
the savage and excessive killing of many people
-
carnal
of or relating to the body or flesh
-
carnivorous
relating to or characteristic of carnivores
-
carousal
revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party
-
carouse
engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
-
carping
persistent petty and unjustified criticism
-
carrion
the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food
-
cartographer
a person who makes maps
-
cascade
a small waterfall or series of small waterfalls
-
caste
(Hinduism) a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity
-
castigation
verbal punishment
-
castrate
remove the testicles of a male animal
-
casual
without or seeming to be without plan or method; offhand
-
casualty
someone injured or killed in an accident
-
cataclysm
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
-
catalyst
(chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
-
catapult
an engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
-
cataract
a large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice
-
catastrophe
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
-
catcall
a cry expressing disapproval
-
catechism
an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers
-
categorical
relating to or included in a category or categories
-
cater
give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
-
catharsis
purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels
-
cathartic
strongly laxative
-
catholic
free from provincial prejudices or attachments
-
caucus
meet to select a candidate or promote a policy
-
cauldron
a very large pot that is used for boiling
-
caulk
a waterproof filler and sealant that is used in building and repair to make watertight
-
causal
involving or constituting a cause; causing
-
caustic
of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
-
cauterize
burn, sear, or freeze (tissue) using a hot iron or electric current or a caustic agent
-
cavalcade
a procession of people traveling on horseback
-
cavalier
a gallant or courtly gentleman
-
cavil
raise trivial objections
-
caviling
-
cede
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
-
celerity
a rate that is rapid
-
celestial
relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven
-
celibate
abstaining from sexual intercourse
-
cemetery
a tract of land used for burials
-
censor
a person who is authorized to read publications or correspondence or to watch theatrical performances and suppress in whole or in part anything considered obscene or politically unacceptable
-
censorious
harshly critical or expressing censure
-
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
centaur
(classical mythology) a mythical being that is half man and half horse
-
centrifugal
tending to move away from a center
-
centrifuge
an apparatus that uses centrifugal force to separate particles from a suspension
-
centripetal
tending to move toward a center
-
centurion
(ancient Rome) the leader of 100 soldiers
-
cerebral
of or relating to the cerebrum or brain
-
cerebration
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
-
ceremonious
characterized by pomp and ceremony and stately display
-
certitude
total certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant
-
cessation
a stopping
-
cession
the act of ceding
-
chafe
become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
-
chaff
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
-
chagrin
strong feelings of embarrassment
-
chalice
a bowl-shaped drinking vessel; especially the Eucharistic cup
-
chameleon
lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongue
-
champion
someone who has won first place in a competition
-
championship
a competition at which a champion is chosen
-
chancellor
the person who is head of state (in several countries)
-
chant
a repetitive song in which as many syllables as necessary are assigned to a single tone
-
chaotic
completely unordered and unpredictable and confusing
-
chapel
a place of worship that has its own altar
-
chaperon
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
-
chaplain
a clergyman ministering to some institution
-
char
burn to charcoal
-
charisma
a personal attractiveness or interestingness that enables you to influence others
-
charlatan
a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
-
charm
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
-
chary
characterized by great caution and wariness
-
chase
go after with the intent to catch
-
chasm
a deep opening in the earth's surface
-
chassis
the skeleton of a motor vehicle consisting of a steel frame supported on springs that holds the body and motor
-
chaste
abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse
-
chasten
censure severely
-
chastise
censure severely
-
chauvinist
a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
-
check
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
-
checkered
patterned with alternating squares of color
-
chequered
patterned with alternating squares of color
-
cherubic
having a sweet nature befitting an angel or cherub
-
chicanery
the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
-
chide
censure severely or angrily
-
chimerical
being or relating to or like a chimera
-
chip
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
-
chisel
an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge
-
chivalrous
being attentive to women like an ideal knight
-
choice
the act of choosing or selecting
-
choir
a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
-
choleric
characterized by anger
-
chore
a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee
-
choreography
a show involving artistic dancing
-
chortle
a soft partly suppressed laugh
-
chorus
a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play
-
chronic
being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
-
chronicle
a record or narrative description of past events
-
chuckle
a soft partly suppressed laugh
-
churlish
having a bad disposition; surly
-
ciliated
having a margin or fringe of hairlike projections
-
cipher
a secret method of writing
-
circlet
a small circle
-
circuit
a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
-
circuitous
deviating from a straight course
-
circumlocution
an indirect way of expressing something
-
circumscribe
to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect
-
circumspect
heedful of potential consequences
-
circumvent
surround so as to force to give up
-
cistern
a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or cerebrospinal fluid
-
citadel
a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle
-
cite
make reference to
-
civil
of or occurring within the state or between or among citizens of the state
-
clairvoyant
someone who has the power of clairvoyance
-
clamber
climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
-
clamor
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
-
clandestine
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
-
clangor
make a loud resonant noise
-
clap
clap one's hands together
-
clapper
metal striker that hangs inside a bell and makes a sound by hitting the side
-
clarion
loud and clear
-
clasp
hold firmly and tightly
-
claustrophobia
a morbid fear of being closed in a confined space
-
clavicle
bone linking the scapula and sternum
-
cleave
separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
-
cleft
a long narrow opening
-
clemency
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
-
cliche
a trite or obvious remark
-
clientele
customers collectively
-
climactic
consisting of or causing a climax
-
clime
the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
-
clip
any of various small fasteners used to hold loose articles together
-
clipper
scissors for cutting hair or finger nails (often used in the plural)
-
clique
an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
-
cloister
residence that is a place of religious seclusion (such as a monastery)
-
clot
a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
-
clout
(boxing) a blow with the fist
-
clown
a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
-
cloying
overly sweet
-
coagulate
change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
-
coalesce
fuse or cause to grow together
-
coalition
the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts
-
coax
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
coda
the closing section of a musical composition
-
coddle
cook in nearly boiling water
-
codicil
a supplement to a will; a testamentary instrument intended to alter an already executed will
-
codify
organize into a code or system, such as a body of law
-
coercion
using force to cause something to occur
-
coeval
of the same period
-
cog
tooth on the rim of gear wheel
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
cogitate
consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one's mind
-
cognate
related by blood
-
cognitive
of or being or relating to or involving cognition
-
cognizance
having knowledge of
-
cohabit
share living quarters; usually said of people who are not married and live together as a couple
-
cohere
cause to form a united, orderly, and aesthetically consistent whole
-
cohesion
the state of cohering or sticking together
-
cohort
a band of warriors (originally a unit of a Roman Legion)
-
coiffure
the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair)
-
coin
a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
-
coincidence
the temporal property of two things happening at the same time
-
colander
bowl-shaped strainer; used to wash or drain foods
-
collaborate
work together on a common enterprise of project
-
collage
a paste-up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image
-
collate
to assemble in proper sequence
-
collateral
situated or running side by side
-
collation
assembling in proper numerical or logical sequence
-
collected
brought together in one place
-
colloquial
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
-
colloquy
formal conversation
-
collusion
secret agreement
-
colossal
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
colossus
someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
-
coma
a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness; usually the result of disease or injury
-
comatose
in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness; unable to respond to external stimuli
-
combustible
capable of igniting and burning
-
comeback
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
comely
according with custom or propriety
-
comestible
suitable for use as food
-
comeuppance
an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
-
comity
a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility and respect
-
commandeer
take arbitrarily or by force
-
commemorate
call to remembrance; keep alive the memory of someone or something, as in a ceremony
-
commemorative
intended as a commemoration
-
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree or extent
-
commiserate
to feel or express sympathy or compassion
-
commodious
large and roomy (`convenient' is archaic in this sense)
-
commonplace
completely ordinary and unremarkable
-
commonwealth
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
-
communal
for or by a group rather than individuals
-
commune
communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity
-
compact
closely and firmly united or packed together
-
compartment
a partitioned section, chamber, or separate room within a larger enclosed area
-
compassion
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
-
compatible
able to exist and perform in harmonious or agreeable combination
-
compelling
driving or forcing
-
compendium
a publication containing a variety of works
-
compensatory
-
compilation
the act of compiling (as into a single book or file or list)
-
compile
get or gather together
-
complacency
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
-
complaisant
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
-
complement
something added to complete or embellish or make perfect
-
complementary
acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)
-
compliance
the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
-
compliant
disposed or willing to comply
-
complicity
guilt as an accomplice in a crime or offense
-
component
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
-
comport
behave in a certain manner
-
compost
a mixture of decaying vegetation and manure; used as a fertilizer
-
composure
steadiness of mind under stress
-
compound
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
-
comprehend
get the meaning of something
-
comprehensive
including all or everything
-
compress
squeeze or press together
-
comprise
be composed of
-
compromise
an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
-
compulsion
using force to cause something to occur
-
compulsive
caused by or suggestive of psychological compulsion
-
compulsory
required by rule
-
compunction
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
compute
make a mathematical calculation or computation
-
concatenate
add by linking or joining so as to form a chain or series
-
concave
curving inward
-
concede
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
-
conceit
the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride
-
concentric
having a common center
-
conception
the creation of something in the mind
-
concerted
involving the joint activity of two or more
-
concession
the act of conceding or yielding
-
conciliatory
making or willing to make concessions
-
concise
expressing much in few words
-
conclave
a confidential or secret meeting
-
conclusive
forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question
-
concoct
make a concoction (of) by mixing
-
concomitant
following or accompanying as a consequence
-
concord
a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole
-
concordat
a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
-
concur
happen simultaneously
-
concurrent
occurring or operating at the same time
-
condescend
behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
-
condign
fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment
-
condiment
a preparation (a sauce or relish or spice) to enhance flavor or enjoyment
-
condole
express one's sympathetic grief, on the occasion of someone's death
-
condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
-
conducive
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
-
conduit
a passage (a pipe or tunnel) through which water or electric wires can pass
-
confidant
someone to whom private matters are confided
-
confidante
a female confidant
-
confide
reveal in private; tell confidentially
-
confidence
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
-
confidential
(of information) given in confidence or in secret
-
confine
place limits on (extent or access)
-
confiscate
take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
-
conflagration
a very intense and uncontrolled fire
-
confluence
a place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers)
-
conformist
someone who conforms to established standards of conduct (especially in religious matters)
-
conformity
correspondence in form or appearance
-
confound
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
-
congeal
become gelatinous
-
congenial
suitable to your needs
-
congenital
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
conglomerate
collect or gather
-
conglomeration
a sum total of many heterogenous things taken together
-
congruence
the quality of agreeing; being suitable and appropriate
-
congruent
corresponding in character or kind
-
conifer
any gymnospermous tree or shrub bearing cones
-
conjecture
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
-
conjugal
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
-
conjure
summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
-
connivance
agreement on a secret plot
-
connoisseur
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
-
connotation
an idea that is implied or suggested
-
connubial
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
-
consanguine
related by blood
-
consanguineous
related by blood
-
consanguinity
(anthropology) related by blood
-
conscientious
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
conscript
enroll into service compulsorily
-
consecrate
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
-
consensus
agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole
-
consequential
having important issues or results
-
conservatoire
a schoolhouse with special facilities for fine arts
-
conservatory
a schoolhouse with special facilities for fine arts
-
consign
give over to another for care or safekeeping
-
consistency
a harmonious uniformity or agreement among things or parts
-
console
give moral or emotional strength to
-
consolidation
combining into a solid mass
-
consonance
the property of sounding harmonious
-
consonant
a speech sound that is not a vowel
-
consort
keep company with; hang out with
-
conspiracy
a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)
-
conspire
act in unison or agreement and in secret towards a deceitful or illegal purpose
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
constituency
the body of voters who elect a representative for their area
-
constituent
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
-
constitution
the act of forming or establishing something
-
constraint
the state of being physically constrained
-
construe
make sense of; assign a meaning to
-
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
-
contagion
an incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted
-
contaminate
make impure
-
contempt
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
-
contend
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
-
contention
the act of competing as for profit or a prize
-
contentious
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
-
contest
a struggle between rivals
-
context
the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation or event
-
contiguous
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
continence
voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
-
contingent
determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
-
contortion
a tortuous and twisted shape or position
-
contraband
distributed or sold illicitly
-
contravene
go against, as of rules and laws
-
contrite
feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
-
contrivance
the faculty of contriving; inventive skill
-
contrive
make or work out a plan for; devise
-
contrived
showing effects of planning or manipulation
-
controvert
be resistant to
-
contumacious
wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
-
contusion
an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
-
conundrum
a difficult problem
-
convene
meet formally
-
convention
the act of convening
-
conventional
following accepted customs and proprieties
-
converge
be adjacent or come together
-
conversant
(usually followed by `with') well informed about or knowing thoroughly
-
converse
carry on a conversation
-
convert
change the nature, purpose, or function of something
-
convex
curving or bulging outward
-
conveyance
something that serves as a means of transportation
-
conviction
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
-
convivial
occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
-
convoke
call together
-
convoluted
rolled longitudinally upon itself
-
convulsion
violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
-
copious
large in number or quantity (especially of discourse)
-
coquette
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
cordon
a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing
-
cornice
the topmost projecting part of an entablature
-
cornucopia
a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity
-
corollary
(logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition
-
coroner
a public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to natural causes
-
corporeal
having material or physical form or substance
-
corpulent
excessively fat
-
corpus
a collection of writings
-
corpuscle
either of two types of cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and sometimes including platelets
-
correlate
to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
-
correlation
a reciprocal relation between two or more things
-
corroborate
give evidence for
-
corrode
cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid
-
corrosive
of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
-
corrugated
shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
-
cosmic
of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe
-
coterie
an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
-
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
-
countermand
cancel officially
-
counterpart
a person or thing having the same function or characteristics as another
-
coup
a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
-
couple
two items of the same kind
-
courier
a person who carries a message
-
court
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
-
covenant
(Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return
-
covert
secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed
-
covetous
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
-
cow
female of domestic cattle: "`moo-cow' is a child's term"
-
cower
crouch or curl up
-
coy
modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures
-
cozen
be false to; be dishonest with
-
crabbed
annoyed and irritable
-
craft
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
-
crass
(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
-
crave
have a craving, appetite, or great desire for
-
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
-
credence
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
-
credential
a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
-
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
-
credulity
tendency to believe readily
-
creed
any system of principles or beliefs
-
creep
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
-
cremate
reduce to ashes
-
crescendo
(music) a gradual increase in loudness
-
crest
the top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill)
-
crestfallen
brought low in spirit
-
crevice
a long narrow opening
-
cringe
draw back, as with fear or pain
-
crinkle
become wrinkled or crumpled or creased
-
criterion
the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
-
crochet
needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle
-
crone
an ugly evil-looking old woman
-
cross
a marking that consists of lines that cross each other
-
crossbreed
(genetics) an organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species
-
crotchety
having a difficult and contrary disposition
-
crust
a hard outer layer that covers something
-
crux
the most important point
-
crypt
a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church)
-
cryptic
having a secret or hidden meaning
-
cubicle
small area set off by walls for special use
-
cue
an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
-
cuisine
the practice or manner of preparing food or the food so prepared
-
culinary
of or relating to or used in cooking
-
cull
remove something that has been rejected
-
culmination
a concluding action
-
culpable
deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
-
culprit
someone who perpetrates wrongdoing
-
culvert
a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway
-
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
-
cumulative
increasing by successive addition
-
cunning
showing inventiveness and skill
-
cupidity
extreme greed for material wealth
-
curator
the custodian of a collection (as a museum or library)
-
curb
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
-
curfew
an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited
-
curmudgeon
a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
-
cursive
rapid handwriting in which letters are set down in full and are cursively connected within words without lifting the writing implement from the paper
-
cursory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
-
cynical
believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
-
cynosure
something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
-
dabble
bob forward and under so as to feed off the bottom of a body of water
-
dainty
something considered choice to eat
-
dais
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
-
dally
behave carelessly or indifferently
-
damn
something of little value
-
dank
unpleasantly cool and humid
-
dapper
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
-
dappled
having spots or patches of color
-
dart
a sudden quick movement
-
daub
an unskillful painting
-
daunt
cause to lose courage
-
dauntless
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
dawdle
hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
-
days
the time during which someone's life continues
-
daze
confusion characterized by lack of clarity
-
dazzle
brightness enough to blind partially and temporarily
-
deadlock
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
-
deadpan
deliberately impassive in manner
-
dearth
an insufficient quantity or number
-
debacle
a sudden and violent collapse
-
debar
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
-
debase
corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
-
debauch
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
-
debilitate
make weak
-
debonair
having a sophisticated charm
-
debris
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
-
debunk
expose while ridiculing; especially of pretentious or false claims and ideas
-
debut
the act of beginning something new
-
debutante
a young woman making her debut into society
-
decadence
the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
-
decant
pour out
-
decapitate
cut the head of
-
decelerate
lose velocity; move more slowly
-
deciduous
(of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
-
decimate
kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies
-
decipher
convert code into ordinary language
-
declivity
a downward slope or bend
-
decollete
(of a garment) having a low-cut neckline
-
decomposition
the organic phenomenon of rotting
-
decorous
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
-
decorum
propriety in manners and conduct
-
decoy
something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
-
decree
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
decrepit
worn and broken down by hard use
-
decrepitude
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
deducible
capable of being deduced
-
deface
mar or spoil the appearance of
-
defalcate
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
defame
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
default
an option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified
-
defeatist
someone who is resigned to defeat without offering positive suggestions
-
defect
a failing or deficiency
-
defection
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
-
defer
yield to another's wish or opinion
-
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
-
defiance
a hostile challenge
-
defile
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
-
definitive
clearly defined or formulated
-
deflect
turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
-
defoliate
deprived of leaves
-
defray
bear the expenses of
-
defrock
divest of the frock; of church officials
-
deft
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
-
defunct
no longer in force or use; inactive
-
degenerate
a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior
-
degradation
changing to a lower state (a less respected state)
-
dehydrate
remove water from
-
deify
exalt to the position of a God
-
deign
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
-
delete
cut or eliminate
-
deleterious
harmful to living things
-
deliberate
carefully thought out in advance
-
delineate
represented accurately or precisely
-
delirium
a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations
-
delta
the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet
-
delude
be false to; be dishonest with
-
deluge
a heavy rain
-
delusion
a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea
-
delusive
inappropriate to reality or facts
-
delve
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
-
demagogue
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
-
demean
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
-
demeanor
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
-
demented
affected with madness or insanity
-
demerit
the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection
-
demise
the time when something ends
-
demographic
a statistic characterizing human populations (or segments of human populations broken down by age or sex or income etc.)
-
demolition
the act of demolishing
-
demoniac
someone who acts as if possessed by a demon
-
demoniacal
frenzied as if possessed by a demon
-
demotic
of or for the common people
-
demur
take exception to
-
demure
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
-
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
denizen
a plant or animal naturalized in a region
-
denomination
identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
-
denotation
the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to
-
denouement
the outcome of a complex sequence of events
-
denounce
speak out against
-
depict
give a description of
-
deplete
use up (resources or materials)
-
deplore
express strong disapproval of
-
deploy
place troops or weapons in battle formation
-
deport
expel from a country
-
depose
force to leave (an office)
-
deposition
the act of putting something somewhere
-
depravity
moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
-
deprecate
express strong disapproval of; deplore
-
depreciate
lose in value
-
depredation
an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
-
deputize
appoint as a substitute
-
deranged
driven insane
-
derelict
a person without a home, job, or property
-
dereliction
willful negligence
-
deride
treat or speak of with contempt
-
derision
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
-
derivation
the source or origin from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues)
-
derivative
a compound obtained from, or regarded as derived from, another compound
-
dermatologist
a doctor who specializes in the physiology and pathology of the skin
-
derogatory
expressive of low opinion
-
descry
catch sight of
-
desecrate
violate the sacred character of a place or language
-
deserts
an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
-
desiccate
lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
-
desolate
providing no shelter or sustenance
-
desperado
a bold outlaw (especially on the American frontier)
-
desperate
a person who is frightened and in need of help
-
despise
look down on with disdain
-
despoil
steal goods; take as spoils
-
despondent
without or almost without hope
-
despot
a cruel and oppressive dictator
-
destitute
poor enough to need help from others
-
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
-
detached
no longer connected or joined
-
detain
cause to be slowed down or delayed
-
determinate
supplying or being a final or conclusive settlement
-
determination
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
-
deterrent
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
detonation
the act of detonating an explosive
-
detraction
a petty disparagement
-
detrimental
(sometimes followed by `to') causing harm or injury
-
deviate
a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior
-
devious
deviating from a straight course
-
devise
a will disposing of real property
-
devoid
completely wanting or lacking
-
devolve
pass on or delegate to another
-
devotee
an ardent follower and admirer
-
devout
deeply religious
-
dexterous
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
-
diabolical
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
-
diadem
an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty
-
dialectical
of or relating to or employing dialectic
-
diaphanous
so thin as to transmit light
-
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
-
dichotomy
being twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
-
dictum
an authoritative declaration
-
didactic
instructive (especially excessively)
-
die
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
-
diffidence
lack of self-confidence
-
diffuse
spread out; not concentrated in one place
-
dignitary
an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
-
digression
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
-
dilapidated
in deplorable condition
-
dilate
become wider
-
dilatory
wasting time
-
dilemma
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
dilettante
an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
-
diligence
conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a given situation
-
dilute
lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture
-
diminution
change toward something smaller or lower
-
din
a loud harsh or strident noise
-
dinghy
a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled
-
dingy
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
-
dint
interchangeable with `means' in the expression `by means of'
-
diorama
a picture (or series of pictures) representing a continuous scene
-
dire
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
-
dirge
a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
-
disabuse
free somebody (from an erroneous belief)
-
disaffected
discontented as toward authority
-
disapprobation
an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
-
disarray
untidiness (especially of clothing and appearance)
-
disavowal
denial of any connection with or knowledge of
-
disband
cause to break up or cease to function
-
disbar
remove from the bar; expel from the practice of law by official action
-
disburse
expend, as from a fund
-
discernible
perceptible by the senses or intellect
-
discerning
having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
-
disclaim
make a disclaimer about
-
disclose
disclose to view as by removing a cover
-
discombobulated
having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
-
discomfit
cause to lose one's composure
-
discompose
cause to lose one's composure
-
disconcert
cause to lose one's composure
-
disconsolate
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
-
discord
lack of agreement or harmony
-
discordant
not in agreement or harmony
-
discount
an amount or percentage deducted
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
discredit
the state of being held in low esteem
-
discrepancy
a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions
-
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
-
discretion
the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies
-
discriminate
marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions
-
discriminating
showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste
-
discursive
proceeding to a conclusion by reason or argument rather than intuition
-
disdain
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
-
disembark
go ashore
-
disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights
-
disengage
release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
-
disfigure
mar or spoil the appearance of
-
disgorge
eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
-
disgruntle
put into a bad mood or into bad humour
-
dishearten
take away the enthusiasm of
-
disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
-
dishonor
a state of shame or disgrace
-
disinclination
a certain degree of unwillingness
-
disingenuous
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
-
disinter
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies
-
disinterested
unaffected by self-interest
-
disjointed
taken apart at the joints
-
disjunction
state of being disconnected
-
dislodge
remove or force from a position of dwelling previously occupied
-
dismantle
take off or remove
-
dismember
separate the limbs from the body
-
dismiss
stop associating with
-
disparage
express a negative opinion of
-
disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
-
disparity
inequality or difference in some respect
-
dispassionate
unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
-
dispatch
the act of sending off something
-
dispel
to cause to separate and go in different directions
-
dispense
administer or bestow, as in small portions
-
disperse
move away from each other
-
dispirited
marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm
-
disport
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
-
disproportion
lack of proportion; imbalance among the parts of something
-
disputatious
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
-
disquietude
feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable
-
disquisition
an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion
-
dissection
cutting so as to separate into pieces
-
dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly
-
disseminate
cause to become widely known
-
dissension
disagreement among those expected to cooperate
-
dissent
a difference of opinion
-
dissertation
a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
-
dissident
a person who dissents from some established policy
-
dissimulate
hide (feelings) from other people
-
dissipate
to cause to separate and go in different directions
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
dissonance
disagreeable sounds
-
dissuade
turn away from by persuasion
-
distant
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
-
distend
cause to expand as it by internal pressure
-
distill
undergo condensation; change from a gaseous to a liquid state and fall in drops
-
distinct
constituting a separate entity or part
-
distinction
a discrimination between things as different and distinct
-
distinctive
of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing
-
distort
twist and press out of shape
-
distract
draw someone's attention away from something
-
distrait
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
-
distraught
deeply agitated especially from emotion
-
diurnal
having a daily cycle or occurring every day
-
diva
a distinguished female operatic singer; a female operatic star
-
diverge
move or draw apart
-
diverse
distinctly dissimilar or unlike
-
diversion
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
-
divest
take away possessions from someone
-
divine
a clergyman or other person in religious orders
-
divulge
make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
-
docile
easily handled or managed
-
docket
a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
-
doctrinaire
a stubborn person of arbitrary or arrogant opinions
-
doctrine
a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
-
document
anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
-
doddering
mentally or physically infirm with age
-
doff
remove
-
dogged
stubbornly unyielding
-
doggerel
a comic verse of irregular measure
-
dogmatic
of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
-
doldrums
a belt of calms and light winds between the northern and southern trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific
-
dolorous
showing sorrow
-
dolt
a person who is not very bright
-
domicile
housing that someone is living in
-
dominant
most frequent or common
-
dominate
be in control
-
domineer
rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner
-
don
teacher at a university or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford)
-
doom
an unpleasant or disastrous destiny
-
dormant
inactive but capable of becoming active
-
dormer
a gabled extension built out from a sloping roof to accommodate a vertical window
-
dorsal
belonging to or on or near the back or upper surface of an animal or organ or part
-
dossier
a collection of papers containing detailed information about a particular person or subject (usually a person's record)
-
dotage
mental infirmity as a consequence of old age; sometimes shown by foolish infatuations
-
dote
shower with love; show excessive affection for
-
dour
showing a brooding ill humor
-
douse
wet thoroughly
-
dowdy
lacking in smartness or taste
-
downcast
filled with melancholy and despondency
-
dowry
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
-
dowse
cover with liquid; pour liquid onto
-
doze
a light fitful sleep
-
drab
a dull greyish to yellowish or light olive brown
-
Draconian
of or relating to Draco or his harsh code of laws
-
draft
a current of air (usually coming into a chimney or room or vehicle)
-
drama
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
-
drastic
forceful and extreme and rigorous
-
draught
a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
-
draw
cause to move by pulling
-
dregs
sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
-
dribble
flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid
-
drip
flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid
-
drivel
saliva spilling from the mouth
-
droll
comical in an odd or whimsical manner
-
drone
an unchanging intonation
-
droop
a shape that sags
-
dross
worthless or dangerous material that should be removed
-
drudge
a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
-
drudgery
hard monotonous routine work
-
dubious
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
-
ductile
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
dulcet
pleasing to the ear
-
dull
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
-
dumbfound
be a mystery or bewildering to
-
dummy
a figure representing the human form
-
dupe
fool or hoax
-
duplicity
acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
-
duration
the period of time during which something continues
-
duress
compulsory force or threat
-
duteous
willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect
-
dutiful
willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect
-
dwindle
become smaller or lose substance
-
dynamic
an efficient incentive
-
dynamo
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature
-
dysentery
an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea
-
dyslexia
impaired ability to learn to read
-
dyspeptic
suffering from dyspepsia
-
earmark
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
-
earn
acquire or deserve by one's efforts or actions
-
earthly
of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven
-
earthy
of or consisting of or resembling earth
-
ebb
the outward flow of the tide
-
ebullient
joyously unrestrained
-
eccentric
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
-
eccentricity
strange and unconventional behavior
-
ecclesiastic
of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)
-
eclectic
selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
-
eclipse
one celestial body obscures another
-
ecliptic
the great circle representing the apparent annual path of the sun; the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun; makes an angle of about 23 degrees with the equator
-
ecologist
a biologist who studies the relation between organisms and their environment
-
economy
the system of production and distribution and consumption
-
ecosystem
a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment
-
ecstasy
a state of elated bliss
-
eddy
a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind resulting when the current of a fluid doubles back on itself
-
edict
a formal or authoritative proclamation
-
edifice
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
-
edify
make understand
-
eerie
suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
-
efface
remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
-
effective
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
-
effectual
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
-
effectuate
produce
-
effeminate
having unsuitable feminine qualities
-
effervescence
the process of bubbling as gas escapes
-
effete
marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay
-
efficacy
capacity or power to produce a desired effect
-
effigy
a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)
-
effluvium
a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)
-
effrontery
audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
-
effulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
-
effusion
an unrestrained expression of emotion
-
ego
an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
-
egoism
concern for your own interests and welfare
-
egotism
an exaggerated opinion of your own importance
-
egotistical
characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importance
-
egregious
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
-
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
-
ejaculation
the discharge of semen in males
-
elaborate
marked by complexity and richness of detail
-
elaboration
developing in intricate and painstaking detail
-
elastic
capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy
-
elated
exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
-
elegy
a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
-
elevation
distance of something above a reference point (such as sea level)
-
elicit
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
elixir
a substance believed to cure all ills
-
ellipsis
omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences
-
elliptical
rounded like an egg
-
elope
run away secretly with one's beloved
-
eloquence
powerful and effective language
-
elucidate
make clear and (more) comprehensible
-
elusive
skillful at eluding capture
-
elysian
relating to the Elysian Fields
-
Elysium
a place or condition of ideal happiness
-
emaciated
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
-
emanate
give out (breath or an odor)
-
emancipate
free from slavery or servitude
-
emasculate
remove the testicles of a male animal
-
embargo
a government order imposing a trade barrier
-
embark
go on board
-
embed
fix or set securely or deeply
-
embellish
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
embezzlement
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else
-
embitter
cause to be bitter or resentful
-
emblazon
decorate with heraldic arms
-
embody
represent in bodily form
-
emboss
raise in a relief
-
embrace
squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
-
embroider
decorate with needlework
-
embroil
force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
-
embryonic
of an organism prior to birth or hatching
-
emend
make improvements or corrections to
-
emetic
a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
-
eminent
standing above others in quality or position
-
emissary
someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
-
emollient
toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin
-
emolument
compensation received by virtue of holding an office or having employment (usually in the form of wages or fees)
-
empathy
understanding and entering into another's feelings
-
empirical
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
-
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
-
enact
order by virtue of superior authority; decree
-
enamored
marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
-
encipher
convert ordinary language into code
-
encircle
form a circle around
-
enclave
an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct from the foreign territory that surrounds it
-
encomiastic
formally expressing praise
-
encompass
include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
-
encroachment
any entry into an area not previously occupied
-
encumber
hold back
-
endear
make attractive or lovable
-
endearment
the act of showing affection
-
endemic
native to or confined to a certain region
-
endorse
be behind; approve of
-
endue
give qualities or abilities to
-
enduring
unceasing
-
energize
cause to be alert and energetic
-
enervate
weaken mentally or morally
-
enfranchise
grant freedom to; as from slavery or servitude
-
engage
consume all of one's attention or time
-
engaged
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
-
engaging
attracting or delighting
-
engender
make children
-
engross
devote (oneself) fully to
-
engulf
flow over or cover completely
-
enhance
increase
-
enigma
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
-
enjoin
give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
-
enlist
join the military
-
enliven
make lively
-
enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will
-
ennui
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
-
enormity
the quality of extreme wickedness
-
enrapture
hold spellbound
-
ensconce
fix firmly
-
ensue
issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
-
entail
have as a logical consequence
-
enterprise
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
-
enterprising
marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects
-
enthrall
hold spellbound
-
entice
provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
-
entity
that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)
-
entomology
the branch of zoology that studies insects
-
entourage
the group following and attending to some important person
-
entrance
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
-
entreat
ask for or request earnestly
-
entree
the principal dish of a meal
-
entrepreneur
someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it
-
enumerate
determine the number or amount of
-
enunciate
express or state clearly
-
environ
extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
-
eon
the longest division of geological time
-
epaulet
adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
-
epaulette
adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
-
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
-
epic
a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
-
epicure
a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
-
Epicurean
of Epicurus or epicureanism
-
epigram
a witty saying
-
epilogue
a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play
-
episodic
of writing or narration; divided into or composed of episodes
-
epistemologist
a specialist in epistemology
-
epitaph
an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
-
epithet
descriptive word or phrase
-
epitome
a standard or typical example
-
epoch
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
-
equable
not varying
-
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
-
equestrian
of or relating to or featuring horseback riding
-
equilibrium
a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
-
equine
resembling a horse
-
equinox
either of two times of the year when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator and day and night are of equal length
-
equipoise
equality of distribution
-
equitable
fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
-
equity
conformity with rules or standards
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
equivocate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
erode
remove soil or rock
-
erotic
an erotic person
-
errant
straying from the right course or from accepted standards
-
erratic
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
erroneous
containing or characterized by error
-
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
-
escapade
any carefree episode
-
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
esoteric
confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
-
espionage
the systematic use of spies to get military or political secrets
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
-
esteem
the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
-
estimable
deserving of respect or high regard
-
estranged
caused to be unloved
-
ethereal
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
-
ethnic
denoting or deriving from or distinctive of the ways of living built up by a group of people
-
ethnology
the branch of anthropology that deals with the division of humankind into races and with their origins and distribution and distinctive characteristics
-
ethos
(anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
-
etymology
a history of a word
-
eugenic
pertaining to or causing improvement in the offspring produced
-
eulogistic
formally expressing praise
-
eulogy
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
-
euphemism
an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
-
euphony
any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds
-
euphoria
a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
-
euthanasia
the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)
-
evanescent
tending to vanish like vapor
-
evasive
avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger especially enemy fire
-
evenhanded
without partiality
-
eventual
expected to follow in the indefinite future from causes already operating
-
evince
give expression to
-
evocative
serving to bring to mind
-
evoke
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
ewe
female sheep
-
exacerbate
make worse
-
exact
marked by strict and particular and complete accordance with fact
-
exacting
severe and unremitting in making demands
-
exalt
praise, glorify, or honor
-
exasperate
make furious
-
except
prevent from being included or considered or accepted
-
exceptionable
liable to objection or debate; used of something one might take exception to
-
excerpt
a passage selected from a larger work
-
exchequer
the funds of a government or institution or individual
-
excise
remove by cutting
-
exclaim
utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
-
excoriate
express strong disapproval of
-
exculpate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
-
execrable
unequivocally detestable
-
execrate
curse or declare to be evil or anathema or threaten with divine punishment
-
execute
put in effect
-
executioner
an official who inflicts capital punishment in pursuit of a warrant
-
executive
a person responsible for the administration of a business
-
executor
a person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of the will
-
exegesis
an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible)
-
exemplary
worthy of imitation
-
exemplify
be characteristic of
-
exempt
(of persons) freed from or not subject to an obligation or liability (as e.g. taxes) to which others or other things are subject
-
exertion
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
-
exhale
expel air
-
exhilarating
making lively and joyful
-
exhort
spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
-
exhume
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies
-
exigency
a pressing or urgent situation
-
exiguous
extremely scanty
-
existential
relating to or dealing with existence (especially with human existence)
-
exodus
a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment
-
exonerate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
-
exorbitant
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
exorcise
expel through adjuration or prayers
-
exotic
being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world
-
expansive
able or tending to expand or characterized by expansion
-
expatiate
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
expatriate
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
-
expedient
appropriate to a purpose; practical
-
expedite
process fast and efficiently
-
expeditious
marked by speed and efficiency
-
expenditure
the act of spending money for goods or services
-
expertise
skillfulness by virtue of possessing special knowledge
-
expiate
make amends for
-
expletive
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
-
explicate
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
-
explicit
precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication
-
exploit
use or manipulate to one's advantage
-
expose
to show, make visible or apparent
-
expository
serving to expound or set forth
-
expostulation
an exclamation of protest or remonstrance or reproof
-
exposure
the state of being vulnerable or exposed
-
expound
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
expropriate
deprive of possessions
-
expunge
remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
-
expurgate
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
-
exquisite
delicately beautiful
-
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
-
extemporaneous
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
extenuate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
extirpate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
extort
obtain by coercion or intimidation
-
extradition
the surrender of an accused or convicted person by one state or country to another (usually under the provisions of a statute or treaty)
-
extraneous
not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
-
extrapolation
an inference about the future (or about some hypothetical situation) based on known facts and observations
-
extricate
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
extrinsic
not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside
-
extrovert
(psychology) a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings
-
extrude
form or shape by forcing through an opening
-
exuberance
joyful enthusiasm
-
exude
release (a liquid) in drops or small quantities
-
exult
feel extreme happiness or elation
-
eyrie
the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
-
eyry
the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
-
fabricate
put together out of artificial or natural components or parts
-
facade
the face or front of a building
-
facet
a distinct feature or element in a problem
-
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
-
facile
arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
-
facilitate
make easier
-
facsimile
an exact copy or reproduction
-
faction
a dissenting clique
-
factious
dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
-
factitious
not produced by natural forces
-
factotum
a servant employed to do a variety of jobs
-
faculty
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
-
fake
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
-
fallacious
containing or based on a fallacy
-
fallible
wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings
-
fallow
left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
-
falsify
make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story
-
falter
move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
-
fanaticism
excessive intolerance of opposing views
-
fancied
formed or conceived by the imagination
-
fancier
a person having a strong liking for something
-
fanciful
indulging in or influenced by fancy
-
fancy
not plain; decorative or ornamented
-
fanfare
(music) a short lively tune played on brass instruments
-
farce
a comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations
-
farfetched
highly imaginative but unlikely
-
fashion
the latest and most admired style in clothes and cosmetics and behavior
-
fastidious
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
-
fatalism
a philosophical doctrine holding that all events are predetermined in advance for all time and human beings are powerless to change them
-
fatherless
having no living father
-
fathom
a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
-
fatuous
devoid of intelligence
-
fauna
all the animal life in a particular region or period
-
favoritism
an inclination to favor some person or group
-
fawning
attempting to win favor by flattery
-
faze
disturb the composure of
-
feasible
capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are
-
feature
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
-
febrile
of or relating to or characterized by fever
-
fecundity
the state of being fertile; capable of producing offspring
-
feebleminded
retarded in intellectual development
-
feign
make believe with the intent to deceive
-
feint
any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
-
felicitous
exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
-
felicity
pleasing and appropriate manner or style (especially manner or style of expression)
-
feline
of or relating to cats
-
fell
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
-
felon
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
feral
wild and menacing
-
ferment
cause to undergo fermentation
-
fermentation
a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol
-
ferocious
marked by extreme and violent energy
-
ferret
domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
-
fertile
capable of reproducing
-
fervent
characterized by intense emotion
-
fervid
characterized by intense emotion
-
fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
fester
ripen and generate pus
-
festive
offering fun and gaiety
-
fete
an elaborate party (often outdoors)
-
fetich
excessive or irrational devotion to some activity
-
fetid
offensively malodorous
-
fetish
a form of sexual desire in which gratification depends to an abnormal degree on some object or item of clothing or part of the body
-
fetter
a shackle for the ankles or feet
-
feud
a bitter quarrel between two parties
-
fiasco
a sudden and violent collapse
-
fiat
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
fickle
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
fictitious
formed or conceived by the imagination
-
fidelity
the quality of being faithful
-
fiend
an evil supernatural being
-
figment
a contrived or fantastic idea
-
figurative
(used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech
-
figure
alternative names for the body of a human being
-
figurine
a small carved or molded figure
-
filch
make off with belongings of others
-
filial
designating the generation or the sequence of generations following the parental generation
-
filibuster
(law) a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches
-
filigree
delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)
-
filing
the entering of a legal document into the public record
-
filth
any substance considered disgustingly foul or unpleasant
-
finale
the closing section of a musical composition
-
finery
elaborate or showy attire and accessories
-
finesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation
-
finicky
exacting especially about details
-
finish
come or bring to a finish or an end
-
finished
ended or brought to an end
-
finite
bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
-
firebrand
a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
-
fissure
a long narrow depression in a surface
-
fit
meeting adequate standards for a purpose
-
fitful
occurring in spells and often abruptly
-
flaccid
drooping without elasticity; wanting in stiffness
-
flag
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
-
flagrant
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
-
flail
an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing
-
flair
a shape that spreads outward
-
flamboyant
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
-
flashy
tastelessly showy
-
flaunt
display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously
-
flay
strip the skin off
-
fleck
a small contrasting part of something
-
fledgeling
young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying
-
fledgling
young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying
-
fleece
outer coat of especially sheep and yaks
-
fleet
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
-
flick
throw or toss with a quick motion
-
flicker
flash intermittently
-
flighty
guided by whim and fancy
-
flinch
draw back, as with fear or pain
-
flip
turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse
-
flippant
showing inappropriate levity
-
flirt
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
-
flit
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
-
floe
a flat mass of ice (smaller than an ice field) floating at sea
-
flora
all the plant life in a particular region or period
-
florescence
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
-
florid
elaborately or excessively ornamented
-
flotsam
the floating wreckage of a ship
-
flounder
walk with great difficulty
-
flourish
grow vigorously
-
flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
-
flowery
of or relating to or suggestive of flowers
-
fluctuate
move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
-
fluency
powerful and effective language
-
fluke
a stroke of luck
-
flush
rinse, clean, or empty with a liquid
-
fluster
cause to be nervous or upset
-
flute
a high-pitched woodwind instrument; a slender tube closed at one end with finger holes on one end and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown
-
flutter
flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
-
flux
a flow or discharge
-
fodder
coarse food (especially for livestock) composed of entire plants or the leaves and stalks of a cereal crop
-
foetid
offensively malodorous
-
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
foil
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
foist
to force onto another
-
foliage
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
-
foment
try to stir up public opinion
-
foolhardy
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
-
foppish
affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner
-
foray
a sudden short attack
-
forbear
a person from whom you are descended
-
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
-
ford
cross a river where it's shallow
-
forebear
a person from whom you are descended
-
foreboding
a feeling of evil to come
-
forego
do without or cease to hold or adhere to
-
forensic
used or applied in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law
-
forerunner
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
foreshadow
indicate by signs
-
foresight
seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing
-
forestall
act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
-
forfeit
lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
-
forge
create by hammering
-
forgo
do without or cease to hold or adhere to
-
forlorn
marked by or showing hopelessness
-
formality
a requirement of etiquette or custom
-
formidable
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
-
forsake
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
-
forswear
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
forte
an asset of special worth or utility
-
forthcoming
at ease in talking to others
-
forthright
directly and without evasion; not roundabout
-
fortitude
strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
-
fortuitous
occurring by happy chance
-
forum
a public facility to meet for open discussion
-
forward
at or to or toward the front
-
foster
providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties
-
foul
highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
-
founder
a person who founds or establishes some institution
-
fracas
noisy quarrel
-
fractious
easily irritated or annoyed
-
frail
physically weak
-
franchise
a statutory right or privilege granted to a person or group by a government (especially the rights of citizenship and the right to vote)
-
frantic
marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
-
fraudulent
intended to deceive
-
fraught
filled with or attended with
-
fray
wear away by rubbing
-
freebooter
someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
-
frenetic
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
-
frenzied
affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason
-
fresco
a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
-
fret
be agitated or irritated
-
friction
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
-
frieze
an architectural ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band between the architrave and the cornice
-
frigid
extremely cold
-
fringe
an ornamental border consisting of short lengths of hanging threads or tassels
-
frisk
search as for concealed weapons by running the hands rapidly over the clothing and through the pockets
-
fritter
small quantity of fried batter containing fruit or meat or vegetables
-
frivolous
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
-
frock
a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
-
frolic
play boisterously
-
frolicsome
given to merry frolicking
-
frond
compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
-
fructify
make productive or fruitful
-
frugality
prudence in avoiding waste
-
fruitful
productive or conducive to producing in abundance
-
fruition
the condition of bearing fruit
-
frustrate
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
fuddle
a confused multitude of things
-
fugitive
someone who is sought by law officers; someone trying to elude justice
-
fulcrum
the pivot about which a lever turns
-
fulminate
cause to explode violently and with loud noise
-
fulsome
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
-
fumble
feel about uncertainly or blindly
-
functional
designed for or capable of a particular function or use
-
functionary
a worker who holds or is invested with an office
-
fundamental
any factor that could be considered important to the understanding of a particular business
-
funereal
suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial
-
furor
an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
-
furrow
a long shallow trench in the ground (especially one made by a plow)
-
furtive
secret and sly or sordid
-
fusillade
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
-
fusion
the act of fusing (or melting) together
-
fuss
an excited state of agitation
-
fussy
exacting especially about details
-
futile
producing no result or effect
-
gadfly
any of various large flies that annoy livestock
-
gaffe
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
gainsay
take exception to
-
gait
a horse's manner of moving
-
galaxy
(astronomy) a collection of star systems; any of the billions of systems each having many stars and nebulae and dust
-
gale
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
-
gall
a digestive juice secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; aids in the digestion of fats
-
galleon
a large square-rigged sailing ship with three or more masts; used by the Spanish for commerce and war from the 15th to 18th centuries
-
galley
a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading
-
gallows
an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
-
galvanic
pertaining to or producing electric current by chemical action
-
galvanize
stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
-
gambit
a chess move early in the game in which the player sacrifices minor pieces in order to obtain an advantageous position
-
gambol
play boisterously
-
gamely
in a plucky manner
-
gamut
a complete extent or range: "a face that expressed a gamut of emotions"
-
gangrene
the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply)
-
gape
look with amazement; look stupidly
-
garbled
lacking orderly continuity
-
gargantuan
of great mass; huge and bulky
-
gargoyle
an ornament consisting of a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal
-
garish
tastelessly showy
-
garner
store grain
-
garnish
decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods
-
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
-
gastronomy
the art and practice of choosing and preparing and eating good food
-
gauche
lacking social polish
-
gaudy
tastelessly showy
-
gaunt
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
-
gavel
a small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge
-
gawk
look with amazement; look stupidly
-
gazette
a newspaper or official journal
-
genealogy
the study or investigation of ancestry and family history
-
generality
the quality of being general or widespread or having general applicability
-
generate
bring into existence
-
generic
applicable to an entire class or group
-
genesis
a coming into being
-
geniality
a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
-
genre
a kind of literary or artistic work
-
genteel
marked by refinement in taste and manners
-
gentility
elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
-
gentle
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
-
gentry
the most powerful members of a society
-
genuflect
bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
-
genus
(biology) taxonomic group containing one or more species
-
geriatrics
the branch of medical science that deals with diseases and problems specific to old people
-
germ
a small apparently simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism
-
germane
relevant and appropriate
-
germinal
containing seeds of later development
-
germinate
produce buds, branches, or germinate
-
gerontology
the branch of medical science that deals with diseases and problems specific to old people
-
gerrymander
divide unfairly and to one's advantage; of voting districts
-
gestate
be pregnant with
-
gesticulation
a deliberate and vigorous gesture or motion
-
ghastly
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
gibberish
unintelligible talking
-
gibe
laugh at with contempt and derision
-
giddy
lacking seriousness; given to frivolity
-
gild
a formal association of people with similar interests
-
gingerly
in a gingerly manner
-
girth
the distance around a person's body
-
gist
the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
-
glacial
relating to or derived from a glacier
-
glamor
alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)
-
glare
be sharply reflected
-
glaring
shining intensely
-
glaze
a coating for ceramics, metal, etc.
-
gleam
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
-
glean
gather, as of natural products
-
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
-
glimmer
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
-
glitter
the quality of shining with a bright reflected light
-
gloat
dwell on with satisfaction
-
gloss
the property of being smooth and shiny
-
gloss over
treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly
-
glossary
an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
-
glossy
reflecting light
-
glow
emit a steady even light without flames
-
glower
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
-
glut
supply with an excess of
-
glutinous
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
-
glutton
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
-
gnarl
make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
-
gnarled
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
-
gnome
a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure
-
goad
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
-
gobble
eat hastily without proper chewing
-
gorge
a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
-
gory
covered with blood
-
gossamer
a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture
-
gouge
an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
-
gourmand
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
-
gourmet
a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
-
gracious
characterized by kindness and warm courtesy especially of a king to his subjects
-
gradation
relative position in a graded series
-
graduate
receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies
-
graduated
marked with or divided into degrees
-
granary
a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed
-
grandeur
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
-
grandiloquent
lofty in style
-
grandiose
impressive because of unnecessary largeness or grandeur; used to show disapproval
-
granulate
form into grains
-
graphic
written or drawn or engraved
-
graphite
used as a lubricant and as a moderator in nuclear reactors
-
grapple
come to terms with
-
grate
reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface
-
gratify
make happy or satisfied
-
gratis
costing nothing
-
gratuitous
unnecessary and unwarranted
-
gratuity
a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
-
gravity
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
-
graze
feed as in a meadow or pasture
-
gregarious
instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
-
grievance
a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action
-
grill
cook over a grill
-
grim
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
-
grimace
contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state
-
grisly
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
groom
someone employed in a stable to take care of the horses
-
groove
a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)
-
gross
lacking fine distinctions or detail
-
grotesque
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
-
grotto
a small cave (usually with attractive features)
-
grouch
show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
-
ground crew
the crew of technicians and mechanics who service aircraft on the ground
-
grouse
popular game bird having a plump body and feathered legs and feet
-
grovel
show submission or fear
-
growl
to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
-
grudge
a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
-
grudging
petty or reluctant in giving or spending
-
gruel
a thin porridge (usually oatmeal or cornmeal)
-
grueling
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
gruesome
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
gruff
brusque and surly and forbidding
-
grumble
make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
-
grunt
issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise
-
guffaw
a burst of deep loud hearty laughter
-
guile
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
-
guileless
free of deceit
-
guise
an artful or simulated semblance
-
gull
mostly white aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
-
gullible
naive and easily deceived or tricked
-
gush
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
-
gust
a strong current of air
-
gustatory
of or relating to gustation
-
gusto
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
-
gusty
blowing in puffs or short intermittent blasts
-
guy
an informal term for a youth or man
-
gyroscope
rotating mechanism in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction
-
habitat
the type of environment in which an organism or group normally lives or occurs
-
habituate
make psychologically or physically used (to something)
-
hackles
a feeling of anger and animosity
-
hackneyed
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
haggard
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
-
haggle
an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
-
hail
precipitation of ice pellets when there are strong rising air currents
-
halcyon
a mythical bird said to breed at the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea and to have the power of calming the winds and waves
-
hale
exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health
-
halfhearted
feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm
-
hallowed
worthy of religious veneration
-
hallucination
illusory perception; a common symptom of severe mental disorder
-
halting
disabled in the feet or legs
-
hamper
prevent the progress or free movement of
-
handsome
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
-
hap
come to pass
-
haphazard
dependent upon or characterized by chance
-
hapless
deserving or inciting pity
-
harangue
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
-
harass
annoy continually or chronically
-
harbinger
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
harbor
a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
-
hardy
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
-
harp
a chordophone that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers
-
harrowing
extremely painful
-
harry
make a pillaging or destructive raid on (a place), as in wartimes
-
hatch
a movable barrier covering a hatchway
-
haughtiness
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
-
haunt
follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to
-
haven
a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
-
havoc
violent and needless disturbance
-
hazard
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
-
hazardous
involving risk or danger
-
hazy
filled or abounding with fog or mist
-
headfirst
with the head foremost
-
headlong
with the head foremost
-
headstrong
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
-
healthful
conducive to good health of body or mind
-
healthy
having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease
-
heckler
someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and questions and objections
-
hedonist
someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
-
heed
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
-
heedless
marked by or paying little heed or attention
-
hegemony
the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others
-
heinous
extremely wicked, deeply criminal
-
helm
steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
-
hem
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
-
herald
(formal) a person who announces important news
-
herbivorous
feeding only on plants
-
herd
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
-
hereafter
following this in time or order or place; after this
-
heresy
a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
-
hermetic
completely sealed; completely airtight
-
hermitage
the abode of a hermit
-
herpetologist
a zoologist who studies reptiles and amphibians
-
heterodox
characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards
-
heterogeneous
consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature
-
hew
make or shape as with an axe
-
heyday
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
-
hiatus
an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
-
hibernal
characteristic of or relating to winter
-
hibernate
be in an inactive or dormant state
-
hide
prevent from being seen or discovered
-
hideous
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
-
hierarchy
a series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system
-
hieroglyphic
a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt
-
high-flown
pretentious (especially with regard to language or ideals)
-
hilarity
great merriment
-
hindmost
located farthest to the rear
-
hindrance
any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
-
hindsight
understanding the nature of an event after it has happened
-
hinterland
a remote and undeveloped area
-
hireling
a person who works only for money
-
hirsute
having or covered with hair
-
historic
belonging to the past; of what is important or famous in the past
-
historical
of or relating to the study of history
-
histrionic
characteristic of acting or a stage performance; often affected
-
hive
a structure that provides a natural habitation for bees; as in a hollow tree
-
hoard
a secret store of valuables or money
-
hoary
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
-
hoax
something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
-
holocaust
an act of mass destruction and loss of life (especially in war or by fire)
-
holster
a sheath (usually leather) for carrying a handgun
-
homage
respectful deference
-
homely
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
-
homeostasis
(physiology) metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes
-
homespun
made of cloth spun or woven in the home
-
homily
a sermon on a moral or religious topic
-
homogeneous
all of the same or similar kind or nature
-
hone
sharpen with a hone
-
hoodwink
conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end
-
horde
a vast multitude
-
horoscope
a prediction of someone's future based on the relative positions of the planets
-
hortatory
giving strong encouragement
-
horticultural
of or relating to the cultivation of plants
-
hostage
a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms
-
hostility
a state of deep-seated ill-will
-
hothead
a reckless impetuous irresponsible person
-
hovel
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
-
hover
hang in the air; fly or be suspended above
-
hubbub
loud confused noise from many sources
-
hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
-
hue
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
-
hue and cry
loud and persistent outcry from many people
-
hull
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
-
humane
marked or motivated by concern with the alleviation of suffering
-
humanitarian
marked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare
-
humble
marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
-
humdrum
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
-
humid
containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
-
humility
a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride
-
hummock
a small natural hill
-
humor
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
-
humus
partially decomposed organic matter; the organic component of soil
-
hurl
throw forcefully
-
hurtle
move with or as if with a rushing sound
-
husband
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
-
husbandry
the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
-
hut
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
-
hybrid
a composite of mixed origin
-
hydrophobia
a morbid fear of water
-
hygiene
a condition promoting sanitary practices
-
hyperbole
extravagant exaggeration
-
hypercritical
inclined to judge too severely
-
hypnosis
a state that resembles sleep but that is induced by suggestion
-
hypochondriac
a patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments
-
hypocritical
professing feelings or virtues one does not have
-
hypothetical
a hypothetical possibility, circumstance, statement, proposal, situation, etc.
-
hysteria
state of violent mental agitation
-
ichthyology
the branch of zoology that studies fishes
-
icon
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
-
iconoclastic
characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions
-
ideology
an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation
-
idiom
an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
-
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
idle
not in action or at work
-
idolatry
the worship of idols; the worship of images that are not God
-
idyll
a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
-
idyllic
suggestive of an idyll; charmingly simple and serene
-
igneous
produced by the action of fire or intense heat
-
ignite
cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
-
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
-
ignominy
a state of dishonor
-
ikon
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
-
illicit
contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention
-
illimitable
without limits in extent or size or quantity
-
illuminate
make lighter or brighter
-
illusion
an erroneous mental representation
-
illusive
based on or having the nature of an illusion
-
illusory
based on or having the nature of an illusion
-
imbalance
a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium
-
imbecility
retardation more severe than a moron but not as severe as an idiot
-
imbed
fix or set securely or deeply
-
imbibe
take in liquids
-
imbroglio
an intricate and confusing interpersonal or political situation
-
imbue
spread or diffuse through
-
immaculate
completely neat and clean
-
imminent
close in time; about to occur
-
immobility
the quality of not moving
-
immolate
offer as a sacrifice by killing or by giving up to destruction
-
immune
relating to the condition of immunity
-
immure
lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
-
immutable
not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
-
impair
make worse or less effective
-
impale
pierce with a sharp stake or point
-
impalpable
not perceptible to the touch
-
impart
bestow a quality on
-
impartial
free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
-
impassable
incapable of being passed
-
impasse
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
-
impassioned
characterized by intense emotion
-
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
impeach
bring an accusation against; level a charge against
-
impeccable
without fault or error
-
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
-
impediment
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
impel
urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
-
impending
close in time; about to occur
-
impenetrable
not admitting of penetration or passage into or through
-
impenitent
not penitent or remorseful
-
imperative
requiring attention or action
-
imperceptible
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
-
imperial
relating to or associated with an empire
-
imperil
pose a threat to; present a danger to
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
impermeable
preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
-
impersonal
not relating to or responsive to individual persons
-
impertinent
improperly forward or bold
-
imperturbable
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
-
impervious
not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
-
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
-
impetus
a force that moves something along
-
impiety
unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
-
impinge
impinge or infringe upon
-
impious
lacking piety or reverence for a god
-
implacable
incapable of being placated
-
implausible
highly imaginative but unlikely
-
implement
instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end
-
implicate
bring into intimate and incriminating connection
-
implication
something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)
-
implicit
implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
-
implode
burst inward
-
implore
call upon in supplication; entreat
-
imply
express or state indirectly
-
impolitic
not politic
-
imponderable
difficult or impossible to evaluate with precision
-
import
bring in from abroad
-
importunate
expressing earnest entreaty
-
importune
beg persistently and urgently
-
imposture
pretending to be another person
-
impotent
(of a male) unable to copulate
-
impoverish
make poor
-
imprecation
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
-
impregnable
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
-
impregnate
make pregnant
-
impromptu
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
impropriety
the condition of being improper
-
improvident
not provident; not providing for the future
-
improvise
manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
-
imprudent
not prudent or wise
-
impudence
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
-
impugn
attack as false or wrong
-
impuissance
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
-
impunity
exemption from punishment or loss
-
impute
attribute or credit to
-
inadvertently
without knowledge or intention
-
inalienable
incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another
-
inamorata
a woman with whom you are in love or have an intimate relationship
-
inane
devoid of intelligence
-
inanimate
not endowed with life
-
inarticulate
without or deprived of the use of speech or words
-
inaugurate
commence officially
-
incandescent
emitting light as a result of being heated
-
incantation
a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect
-
incapacitate
make unable to perform a certain action
-
incarcerate
lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
-
incarnate
possessing or existing in bodily form
-
incarnation
the act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas etc.
-
incendiary
capable of catching fire spontaneously or causing fires or burning readily
-
incense
make furious
-
incentive
a positive motivational influence
-
inception
an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events
-
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
inchoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
incidence
the relative frequency of occurrence of something
-
incident
a single distinct event
-
incidental
(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence
-
incinerate
become reduced to ashes
-
incipient
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
incisive
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
-
incite
provoke or stir up
-
inclement
(of weather or climate) severe
-
incline
lower or bend (the head or upper body), as in a nod or bow
-
inclined
at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
-
inclusive
including much or everything; and especially including stated limits
-
incognito
without revealing one's identity
-
incoherent
without logical or meaningful connection
-
incommodious
uncomfortably or inconveniently small
-
incompatible
not compatible
-
incongruity
the quality of disagreeing; being unsuitable and inappropriate
-
inconsequential
lacking worth or importance
-
inconsistency
the quality of being inconsistent and lacking a harmonious uniformity among things or parts
-
incontinent
not having control over urination and defecation
-
incontrovertible
impossible to deny or disprove
-
incorporate
make into a whole or make part of a whole
-
incorporeal
without material form or substance
-
incorrigible
impervious to correction by punishment
-
incredulity
doubt about the truth of something
-
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
-
increment
the amount by which something increases
-
incriminate
suggest that someone is guilty
-
incrustation
the formation of a crust
-
incubate
grow under conditions that promote development
-
incubus
a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women
-
inculcate
teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
-
incumbent
necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding
-
incur
make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
-
incursion
the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
-
indecision
the trait of irresolution; a lack of firmness of character or purpose
-
indecisive
characterized by lack of decision and firmness
-
indefatigable
showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
-
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
-
indemnify
secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for
-
indentation
the space left between the margin and the start of an indented line
-
indenture
formal agreement between the issuer of bonds and the bondholders as to terms of the debt
-
indeterminate
not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
-
index
an alphabetical listing of names and topics along with page numbers where they are discussed
-
indicative
(usually followed by `of') pointing out or revealing clearly
-
indict
accuse formally of a crime
-
indifferent
marked by a lack of interest
-
indigence
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
indigenous
originating where it is found
-
indigent
poor enough to need help from others
-
indignation
a feeling of righteous anger
-
indignity
an affront to one's dignity or self-esteem
-
indiscriminate
failing to make or recognize distinctions
-
indisputable
not open to question; obviously true
-
indissoluble
(of a substance) incapable of being dissolved
-
indite
produce a literary work
-
indoctrinate
teach doctrines to; teach uncritically
-
indolent
disinclined to work or exertion
-
indomitable
impossible to subdue
-
indubitable
too obvious to be doubted
-
induce
cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
-
induct
place ceremoniously or formally in an office or position
-
inductive
inducing or influencing; leading on
-
indulge
yield (to); give satisfaction to
-
indulgent
characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
-
industrious
characterized by hard work and perseverance
-
inebriate
make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)
-
inebriated
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
-
ineffable
defying expression or description
-
ineffectual
not producing an intended effect
-
ineluctable
impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
-
inept
generally incompetent and ineffectual
-
inequity
injustice by virtue of not conforming with rules or standards
-
inerrancy
(Christianity) exemption from error
-
inert
unable to move or resist motion
-
inestimable
beyond calculation or measure
-
inevitable
incapable of being avoided or prevented
-
inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
-
inextricable
not permitting extrication; incapable of being disentangled or untied
-
infallible
incapable of failure or error
-
infamous
known widely and usually unfavorably
-
infantile
of or relating to infants or infancy
-
infer
conclude by reasoning; in logic
-
infernal
characteristic of or resembling Hell
-
infest
occupy in large numbers or live on a host
-
infidel
a person who does not acknowledge your god
-
infiltrate
pass through an enemy line; in a military conflict
-
infinitesimal
infinitely or immeasurably small
-
infirmity
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
-
inflated
enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness
-
influx
the process of flowing in
-
infraction
a crime less serious than a felony
-
infringe
advance beyond the usual limit
-
ingenious
showing inventiveness and skill
-
ingenue
an artless innocent young girl (especially as portrayed on the stage)
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
ingrained
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
-
ingrate
a person who shows no gratitude
-
ingratiate
gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
-
inherent
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
-
inhibit
limit the range or extent of
-
inhibited
held back or restrained or prevented
-
inimical
not friendly
-
inimitable
defying imitation; matchless
-
iniquitous
characterized by iniquity; wicked because it is believed to be a sin
-
initiate
set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
-
injurious
harmful to living things
-
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
-
innate
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
innovation
the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new
-
innuendo
an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
-
inopportune
not opportune
-
inordinate
beyond normal limits
-
inquisitive
inquiring or appearing to inquire
-
inquisitor
a questioner who is excessively harsh
-
inroad
an encroachment or intrusion
-
insalubrious
detrimental to health
-
insatiable
impossible to satisfy
-
inscrutable
of an obscure nature
-
insensate
devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation
-
insensible
barely able to be perceived
-
insidious
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
-
insightful
exhibiting insight or clear and deep perception
-
insinuate
give to understand
-
insipid
lacking interest or significance or impact
-
insolence
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
-
insolvent
unable to meet or discharge financial obligations
-
insomnia
an inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness
-
insomuch
to such an extent or degree; so
-
insouciant
marked by blithe unconcern
-
instigate
provoke or stir up
-
institute
set up or lay the groundwork for
-
institution
a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society
-
institutionalize
cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution
-
insubordination
defiance of authority
-
insubstantial
lacking material form or substance; unreal
-
insularity
the state of being isolated or detached
-
insuperable
incapable of being surmounted or excelled
-
insurgent
in opposition to a civil authority or government
-
insurmountable
not capable of being surmounted or overcome
-
insurrection
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
-
intangible
incapable of being perceived by the senses especially the sense of touch
-
integral
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
-
integrate
make into a whole or make part of a whole
-
integrity
an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
-
intellect
knowledge and intellectual ability
-
intelligentsia
an educated and intellectual elite
-
inter
place in a grave or tomb
-
interdict
an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district
-
interim
the time between one event, process, or period and another
-
interjection
an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion
-
interloper
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
-
intermediary
a negotiator who acts as a link between parties
-
interminable
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
-
intermittent
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
-
internecine
(of conflict) within a group or organization
-
interpolate
insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
-
interregnum
the time between two reigns, governments, etc.
-
interrogate
pose a series of questions to
-
interstice
small opening between things
-
intervene
be placed or located between other things or extend between spaces and events
-
intimate
imply as a possibility
-
intimidate
to compel or deter by or as if by threats
-
intolerant
unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion
-
intoxicate
make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)
-
intractable
not tractable; difficult to manage or mold
-
intransigence
the trait of being intransigent; stubbornly refusing to compromise
-
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
intrigue
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
-
intrinsic
belonging to a thing by its very nature
-
introspective
given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences
-
introvert
fold inwards
-
intrude
enter uninvited
-
intuition
instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
-
inundate
fill or cover completely, usually with water
-
inured
made tough by habitual exposure
-
invalid
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
-
invalidate
make invalid for use
-
invective
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
-
inveigh
complain bitterly
-
inveigle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
inverse
reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
-
invert
turn inside out or upside down
-
inveterate
habitual
-
invidious
containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
-
invincible
incapable of being overcome or subdued
-
inviolable
incapable of being transgressed or dishonored
-
invocation
the act of appealing for help
-
invoke
request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection
-
invulnerable
immune to attack; impregnable
-
iota
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
-
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
-
irate
feeling or showing extreme anger
-
iridescent
varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles
-
irksome
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
-
ironic
characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
-
irony
incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
-
irreconcilable
impossible to reconcile
-
irrefutable
impossible to deny or disprove
-
irrelevant
having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
-
irremediable
impossible to remedy or correct or redress
-
irreparable
impossible to repair, rectify, or amend
-
irrepressible
impossible to repress or control
-
irreproachable
free of guilt; not subject to blame
-
irresolute
uncertain how to act or proceed
-
irretrievable
impossible to recover or recoup or overcome
-
irreverence
an irreverent mental attitude
-
irrevocable
incapable of being retracted or revoked
-
isotope
one of two or more atoms with the same atomic number but with different numbers of neutrons
-
isthmus
a relatively narrow strip of land (with water on both sides) connecting two larger land areas
-
itinerant
traveling from place to place to work
-
itinerary
an established line of travel or access
-
jab
poke or thrust abruptly
-
jabber
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
jaded
exhausted
-
jargon
specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
-
jaundice
yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia
-
jaundiced
affected by jaundice which causes yellowing of skin etc
-
jaunt
a journey taken for pleasure
-
jaunty
having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air
-
jeopardize
pose a threat to; present a danger to
-
jest
activity characterized by good humor
-
jetsam
the part of a ship's equipment or cargo that is thrown overboard to lighten the load in a storm
-
jettison
throw away, of something encumbering
-
jibe
shift from one side of the ship to the other
-
jingoist
an extreme bellicose nationalist
-
jocose
characterized by jokes and good humor
-
jocular
characterized by jokes and good humor
-
jocund
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
-
jollity
feeling jolly and jovial and full of good humor
-
jostle
make one's way by jostling, pushing, or shoving
-
jovial
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
-
jubilation
a feeling of extreme joy
-
judiciary
the system of law courts that administer justice and constitute the judicial branch of government
-
judicious
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
-
jug
a large bottle with a narrow mouth
-
juggernaut
a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way
-
jumble
assemble without order or sense
-
juncture
the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
-
junket
dessert made of sweetened milk coagulated with rennet
-
junta
a group of military officers who rule a country after seizing power
-
juridical
of or relating to the law or jurisprudence
-
jurisdiction
in law; the territory within which power can be exercised
-
jurisprudence
the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do
-
juxtapose
place side by side
-
kaleidoscope
an optical toy in a tube; it produces symmetrical patterns as bits of colored glass are reflected by mirrors
-
Karat
-
ken
range of what one can know or understand
-
kernel
a single whole grain of a cereal
-
killjoy
someone who spoils the pleasure of others
-
kindle
catch fire
-
kindred
group of people related by blood or marriage
-
kinetic
relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces associated therewith
-
kismet
(Islam) the will of Allah
-
kleptomaniac
someone with an irrational urge to steal in the absence of an economic motive
-
knack
a special way of doing something
-
knave
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
-
knead
make uniform
-
kneel
rest one's weight on one's knees
-
knell
the sound of a bell rung slowly to announce a death or a funeral or the end of something
-
knit
make (textiles) by knitting
-
knoll
a small natural hill
-
knotty
tangled in knots or snarls
-
kudos
an expression of approval and commendation
-
labile
liable to change
-
laborious
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
labyrinth
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
-
lace
a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)
-
laceration
the act of lacerating
-
lachrymose
showing sorrow
-
lackadaisical
idle or indolent especially in a dreamy way
-
lackluster
lacking brilliance or vitality
-
laconic
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
lag
hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
-
laggard
someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
-
lagoon
a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
-
laity
in Christianity, members of a religious community that do not have the priestly responsibilities of ordained clergy
-
lament
a cry of sorrow and grief
-
lampoon
ridicule with satire
-
lance
a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
-
lancet
a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions
-
languid
lacking spirit or liveliness
-
languish
become feeble
-
languor
inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
-
lank
long and thin and often limp
-
lap
the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
-
larceny
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
-
larder
a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
-
largess
liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
-
lascivious
driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires
-
lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
-
latch
catch for fastening a door or gate; a bar that can be lowered or slid into a groove
-
latent
potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
-
lateral
situated at or extending to the side
-
latitude
an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
-
laud
praise, glorify, or honor
-
lavish
very generous
-
lax
lacking in rigor or strictness
-
layman
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
-
leash
restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
-
leave-taking
the act of departing politely
-
leaven
a substance used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid
-
lechery
unrestrained indulgence in sexual activity
-
lectern
desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text at the proper height for a lecturer
-
leery
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
-
leeway
a permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits
-
legacy
(law) a gift of personal property by will
-
legato
connecting the notes; in music
-
legend
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
-
legerdemain
an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
-
legislature
persons who make or amend or repeal laws
-
leniency
a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone
-
leonine
of or characteristic of or resembling a lion
-
lethal
of an instrument of certain death
-
lethargic
deficient in alertness or activity
-
levee
a pier that provides a landing place on a river
-
levitate
cause to rise in the air and float, as if in defiance of gravity
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
levy
impose and collect
-
lewd
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
lexicographer
a compiler or writer of a dictionary; a student of the lexical component of language
-
lexicon
a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
-
liability
the state of being legally obliged and responsible
-
liaison
a channel for communication between groups
-
libel
a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
-
libertine
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
libidinous
driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires
-
libido
(psychoanalysis) a Freudian term for sexual urge or desire
-
libretto
the words of an opera or musical play
-
license
a legal document giving official permission to do something
-
licentious
lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
-
lien
the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged
-
ligneous
consisting of or containing lignin or xylem
-
lilliputian
very small
-
limber
(used of artifacts) easily bent
-
limbo
(theology) in Roman Catholicism, the place of unbaptized but innocent or righteous souls (such as infants and virtuous individuals)
-
limn
make a portrait of
-
limp
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
-
limpid
clear and bright
-
lineage
the kinship relation between an individual and the individual's progenitors
-
lineament
the characteristic parts of a person's face: eyes and nose and mouth and chin
-
linger
remain present although waning or gradually dying
-
linguistic
consisting of or related to language
-
lionize
assign great social importance to
-
liquidate
eliminate by paying off (debts)
-
list
a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
-
listless
lacking zest or vivacity
-
litany
any long and tedious address or recital
-
lithe
moving and bending with ease
-
litigation
a legal proceeding in a court; a judicial contest to determine and enforce legal rights
-
litotes
understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)
-
litter
rubbish carelessly dropped or left about (especially in public places)
-
livid
furiously angry
-
loath
(usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
-
loathe
find repugnant
-
lode
a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks
-
loft
floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
-
lofty
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
-
log
a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
-
loiter
be about
-
loll
be lazy or idle
-
longevity
the property of being long-lived
-
lookout
the act of looking out
-
loom
a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
-
lope
run easily
-
lopsided
having one side lower or smaller or lighter than the other
-
loquacious
full of trivial conversation
-
lot
anything (straws or pebbles etc.) taken or chosen at random
-
lottery
players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots
-
lounge
sit or recline comfortably
-
lout
an awkward stupid person
-
low
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
-
lubricate
apply a lubricant to
-
lucid
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
lucrative
producing a sizeable profit
-
lucre
informal terms for money
-
ludicrous
incongruous;inviting ridicule
-
lugubrious
excessively mournful
-
lull
make calm or still
-
lumber
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
-
lumen
a cavity or passage in a tubular organ
-
luminary
a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
-
luminous
softly bright or radiant
-
lunar
of or relating to or associated with the moon
-
lunatic
an insane person
-
lurid
horrible in fierceness or savagery
-
lurk
lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
-
luscious
having strong sexual appeal
-
lush
produced or growing in extreme abundance
-
lust
a strong sexual desire
-
luster
the visual property of something that shines with reflected light
-
lustrous
reflecting light
-
luxuriant
produced or growing in extreme abundance
-
luxuriate
become extravagant; indulge (oneself) luxuriously
-
macabre
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
mace
spice made from the dried fleshy covering of the nutmeg seed
-
macerate
soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result
-
Machiavellian
of or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended
-
machination
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
-
maculate
morally blemished; stained or impure
-
madrigal
an unaccompanied partsong for 2 or 3 voices; follows a strict poetic form
-
maelstrom
a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)
-
magisterial
of or relating to a magistrate
-
magistrate
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
-
magnanimity
liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
-
magnate
a very wealthy or powerful businessman
-
magniloquent
lofty in style
-
magnitude
the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small)
-
maim
injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
-
makeshift
done or made using whatever is available
-
maladroit
not adroit
-
malady
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
-
malaise
physical discomfort (as mild sickness or depression)
-
malapropism
the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
-
malapropos
at an inconvenient time
-
malcontent
discontented as toward authority
-
malediction
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
-
malefactor
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
maleficent
harmful or evil in intent or effect
-
malevolent
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
-
malfeasance
wrongful conduct by a public official
-
malicious
having the nature of or resulting from malice
-
malign
speak unfavorably about
-
malignant
dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
-
malingerer
someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity
-
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
malodorous
having an unpleasant smell
-
mammal
any warm-blooded vertebrate having the skin more or less covered with hair; young are born alive except for the small subclass of monotremes and nourished with milk
-
mammoth
any of numerous extinct elephants widely distributed in the Pleistocene; extremely large with hairy coats and long upcurved tusks
-
manacle
shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
-
mandate
a document giving an official instruction or command
-
mandatory
required by rule
-
maneuver
a military training exercise
-
mange
a persistent and contagious disease of the skin causing inflammation and itching and loss of hair; affects domestic animals (and sometimes people)
-
mangle
destroy or injure severely
-
mangy
having many worn or threadbare spots in the nap
-
maniacal
wildly disordered
-
manifest
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
-
manifestation
a clear appearance
-
manifesto
a public declaration of intentions (as issued by a political party or government)
-
manifold
many and varied; having many features or forms
-
manipulate
influence or control shrewdly or deviously
-
mannered
having unnatural mannerisms
-
mannerism
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
manoeuver
act in order to achieve a certain goal
-
mantle
a sleeveless garment like a cloak but shorter
-
manumit
free from slavery or servitude
-
mar
make imperfect
-
maraud
raid and rove in search of booty
-
margin
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
-
marginal
at or constituting a border or edge
-
marital
of or relating to the state of marriage
-
maritime
relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen
-
marked
strongly marked; easily noticeable
-
maroon
a dark purplish-red to dark brownish-red color
-
marred
blemished by injury or rough wear
-
marrow
the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones
-
marshal
(in some countries) a military officer of highest rank
-
marsupial
mammals of which the females have a pouch (the marsupium) containing the teats where the young are fed and carried
-
martial
suggesting war or military life
-
martinet
someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms
-
martyr
one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty for refusing to renounce their religion
-
mash
to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
-
masochist
someone who obtains pleasure from receiving punishment
-
mason
a craftsman who works with stone or brick
-
masquerade
a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
-
mass
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
-
masticate
grind and knead
-
mat
a small pad of material that is used to protect surface from an object placed on it
-
materialism
a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters
-
maternal
characteristic of a mother
-
matinee
a theatrical performance held during the daytime (especially in the afternoon)
-
matriarch
a female head of a family or tribe
-
matriculate
enroll as a student
-
matrimony
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
-
matrix
an enclosure within which something originates or develops (from the Latin for womb)
-
maudlin
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
maul
injure badly by beating
-
mausoleum
a large burial chamber, usually above ground
-
mauve
a moderate purple
-
maverick
someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
-
mawkish
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
maxim
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
-
mayhem
violent and needless disturbance
-
meager
deficient in amount or quality or extent
-
mealymouthed
hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy
-
meander
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
-
meddlesome
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
mediate
act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
-
mediocre
moderate to inferior in quality
-
meditation
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
-
medium
the surrounding environment
-
medley
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
-
meek
humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
-
megalomania
a psychological state characterized by delusions of grandeur
-
melancholy
a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
-
melee
a noisy riotous fight
-
mellifluous
pleasing to the ear
-
memento
a reminder of past events
-
memoir
an account of the author's personal experiences
-
memorial
a recognition of meritorious service
-
memorialize
be or provide a memorial to a person or an event
-
menace
something that is a source of danger
-
menagerie
a collection of live animals for study or display
-
mendacious
given to lying
-
mendicant
practicing beggary
-
menial
used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
-
mentor
a wise and trusted guide and advisor
-
mercantile
relating to or characteristic of trade or traders
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
mercurial
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
meretricious
tastelessly showy
-
merger
an occurrence that involves the production of a union
-
merit
the quality of being deserving (e.g., deserving assistance)
-
mesmerize
attract strongly, as if with a magnet
-
metallurgical
of or relating to metallurgy
-
metamorphosis
a striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
-
metaphor
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
-
metaphysical
pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics
-
mete
a line that indicates a boundary
-
meteoric
pertaining to or consisting of meteors or meteoroids
-
meter
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
-
methodical
characterized by method and orderliness
-
meticulous
marked by precise accordance with details
-
metrical
the rhythmic arrangement of syllables
-
metropolis
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
-
mettle
the courage to carry on
-
miasma
an unwholesome atmosphere
-
microcosm
a miniature model of something
-
migrant
traveler who moves from one region or country to another
-
migratory
used of animals that move seasonally
-
milieu
the environmental condition
-
militant
engaged in war
-
militate
have force or influence; bring about an effect or change
-
militia
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
-
millennium
a span of 1000 years
-
mime
an actor who communicates entirely by gesture and facial expression
-
mimicry
the act of mimicking; imitative behavior
-
minatory
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
mincing
affectedly dainty or refined
-
mingle
to bring or combine together or with something else
-
miniature
being on a very small scale
-
minion
a servile or fawning dependant
-
miniscule
very small
-
minuscule
very small
-
minute
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
-
minutia
a small or minor detail
-
mirage
an optical illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects
-
mire
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
-
mirth
great merriment
-
misadventure
an instance of misfortune
-
misanthrope
someone who dislikes people in general
-
misapprehension
an understanding of something that is not correct
-
miscellaneous
having many aspects
-
miscellany
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
-
mischance
an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
-
mischief
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
-
misconduct
activity that transgresses moral or civil law
-
misconstrue
interpret in the wrong way
-
miscreant
a person without moral scruples
-
misdemeanor
a crime less serious than a felony
-
miserly
(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
-
misgiving
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
mishap
an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
-
misnomer
an incorrect or unsuitable name
-
misogamy
hatred of marriage
-
misogynist
a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular
-
missile
a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled
-
missive
a written message addressed to a person or organization
-
mite
any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods
-
mitigate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
mnemonic
of or relating to or involved the practice of aiding the memory
-
mobile
moving or capable of moving readily (especially from place to place)
-
mock
treat with contempt
-
mode
how something is done or how it happens
-
modicum
a small or moderate or token amount
-
modish
in the current fashion or style
-
modulate
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
-
mogul
a very wealthy or powerful businessman
-
molecule
(physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound
-
mollify
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
mollycoddle
treat with excessive indulgence
-
molt
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
-
molten
reduced to liquid form by heating
-
momentous
of very great significance
-
momentum
the product of a body's mass and its velocity
-
monarchy
an autocracy governed by a monarch who usually inherits the authority
-
monastic
of communal life sequestered from the world under religious vows
-
monetary
relating to or involving money
-
mongrel
derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin
-
monochromatic
having or appearing to have only one color
-
monochrome
painting done in a range of tones of a single color
-
monogram
a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined (usually your initials); printed on stationery or embroidered on clothing
-
monograph
a detailed and documented treatise on a particular subject
-
monolithic
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
-
monotheism
belief in a single God
-
monotony
constancy of tone or pitch or inflection
-
monumental
of outstanding significance
-
moodiness
a sullen gloomy feeling
-
moratorium
suspension of an ongoing activity
-
morbid
suggesting the horror of death and decay
-
mordant
harshly ironic or sinister
-
mores
(sociology) the conventions that embody the fundamental values of a group
-
morgue
a building (or room) where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation
-
moribund
being on the point of death; breathing your last
-
morose
showing a brooding ill humor
-
mortar
a bowl-shaped vessel in which substances can be ground and mixed with a pestle
-
mortician
one whose business is the management of funerals
-
mortify
cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
-
mosaic
art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass
-
mote
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
-
motif
a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
-
motility
ability to move spontaneously and independently
-
motley
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
-
mottled
having spots or patches of color
-
motto
a favorite saying of a sect or political group
-
moult
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
-
mountebank
a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
-
muddle
make into a puddle
-
muggy
hot or warm and humid
-
mulct
money extracted as a penalty
-
multifarious
having many aspects
-
multiform
occurring in or having many forms or shapes or appearances
-
multilingual
using or knowing more than one language
-
multiplicity
the property of being multiple
-
mundane
found in the ordinary course of events
-
munificent
very generous
-
mural
a painting that is applied to a wall surface
-
murky
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
-
murmur
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
-
muse
reflect deeply on a subject
-
musky
resembling the smell of musk
-
muster
gather or bring together
-
musty
covered with or smelling of mold
-
mutability
the quality of being capable of mutation
-
mute
expressed without speech
-
muted
in a softened tone
-
mutilate
destroy or injure severely
-
mutinous
consisting of or characterized by or inciting to mutiny
-
mutter
talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
-
myopic
unable to see distant objects clearly
-
myriad
a large indefinite number
-
mystic
having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding
-
nadir
an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything
-
naivete
lack of sophistication or worldliness
-
naivety
lack of sophistication or worldliness
-
narcissist
someone in love with themselves
-
narrative
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
natal
relating to or accompanying birth
-
natty
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
-
nausea
the state that precedes vomiting
-
nauseate
upset and make nauseated
-
nauseous
causing or able to cause nausea
-
nautical
relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen
-
navigable
able to be sailed on or through safely
-
nebula
an immense cloud of gas (mainly hydrogen) and dust in interstellar space
-
nebulous
lacking definite form or limits
-
necromancy
conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying
-
nectar
a sweet liquid secretion that is attractive to pollinators
-
nefarious
extremely wicked
-
negate
make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
-
negligence
failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances
-
negligible
so small as to be meaningless; insignificant
-
nemesis
something causing misery or death
-
neologism
a newly invented word or phrase
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
nepotism
favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power (as by giving them jobs)
-
nether
lower
-
nettle
any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact (especially of the genus Urtica or family Urticaceae)
-
nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series
-
nib
the writing point of a pen
-
nicety
conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
-
niggardly
petty or reluctant in giving or spending
-
niggle
worry unnecessarily or excessively
-
nihilist
someone who rejects all theories of morality or religious belief
-
nimble
moving quickly and lightly
-
nip
sever or remove by pinching or snipping
-
nirvana
(Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness
-
nocturnal
belonging to or active during the night
-
noisome
causing or able to cause nausea
-
nomadic
migratory
-
nomenclature
a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline
-
nominal
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
-
nonchalance
the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern
-
noncommittal
refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action or view or the like
-
nondescript
lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting
-
nonentity
a person of no influence
-
nonplus
be a mystery or bewildering to
-
nonsense
a message that seems to convey no meaning
-
noose
a loop formed in a cord or rope by means of a slipknot; it binds tighter as the cord or rope is pulled
-
nostalgia
longing for something past
-
nostrum
patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable
-
notable
worthy of notice
-
notation
a comment or instruction (usually added)
-
notch
a small cut
-
notoriety
the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality
-
nourish
provide with nourishment
-
nourishment
the act of nourishing
-
nova
a star that ejects some of its material in the form of a cloud and become more luminous in the process
-
novelty
originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel
-
novice
someone new to a field or activity
-
noxious
injurious to physical or mental health
-
nuance
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
-
nubile
of girls or women who are eligible to marry
-
nugatory
of no real value
-
nullify
declare invalid
-
numismatist
a collector and student of money (and coins in particular)
-
nuptial
of or relating to a wedding
-
nurse
one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
-
nurture
provide with nourishment
-
nutrient
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
-
nutrition
(physiology) the organic process of nourishing or being nourished; the processes by which an organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and maintenance
-
nutritious
of or providing nourishment
-
oaf
an awkward stupid person
-
oath
a solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior
-
oatmeal
porridge made of rolled oats
-
obdurate
stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
-
obeisance
bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
-
obelisk
a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top
-
obese
excessively fat
-
obfuscate
make obscure or unclear
-
obituary
a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography
-
objective
the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
-
obligatory
required by obligation or compulsion or convention
-
oblique
slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
-
obliterate
remove completely from recognition or memory
-
oblivion
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
-
oblivious
(followed by `to' or `of') lacking conscious awareness of
-
obloquy
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
-
obnoxious
causing disapproval or protest
-
obscure
not clearly understood or expressed
-
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
-
obsessive
characterized by or constituting an obsession
-
obsidian
acid or granitic glass formed by the rapid cooling of lava without crystallization; usually dark, but transparent in thin pieces
-
obsolete
no longer in use
-
obstetrician
a physician specializing in obstetrics
-
obstinate
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
-
obstreperous
noisily and stubbornly defiant
-
obtrude
push to thrust outward
-
obtuse
of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
-
obviate
do away with
-
Occident
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
-
occlude
block passage through
-
occult
supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
-
oculist
a person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses
-
odds
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
-
odious
unequivocally detestable
-
odium
hate coupled with disgust
-
odoriferous
emitting an odor
-
odorous
having odor or a characteristic odor
-
odyssey
a long wandering and eventful journey
-
offensive
unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses
-
offhand
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
ogle
look at with amorous intentions
-
olfactory
of or relating to olfaction
-
oligarchy
a political system governed by a few people
-
ominous
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
omnipotent
having unlimited power
-
omnipresent
being present everywhere at once
-
omniscient
infinitely wise
-
omnivorous
feeding on both plants and animals
-
onerous
not easily borne; wearing
-
onomatopoeia
using words that imitate the sound they denote
-
onslaught
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
-
onus
an onerous or difficult concern
-
ooze
pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
-
opalescent
having a play of lustrous rainbow colors
-
opaque
not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight
-
opiate
a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative
-
opportune
suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose
-
opportunist
a person who places expediency above principle
-
opprobrium
a state of extreme dishonor
-
optician
a worker who makes glasses for remedying defects of vision
-
optimist
a person disposed to take a favorable view of things
-
optimum
most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied
-
optional
possible but not necessary; left to personal choice
-
optometrist
a person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses
-
opulence
wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
-
opus
a musical work that has been created
-
oracular
of or relating to an oracle
-
orator
a person who delivers a speech or oration
-
oratorio
a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
-
ordain
invest with ministerial or priestly authority
-
ordeal
a severe or trying experience
-
ordinance
an authoritative rule
-
ordination
the act of ordaining; the act of conferring (or receiving) holy orders
-
orgy
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
-
orient
the hemisphere that includes Eurasia and Africa and Australia
-
orientation
the act of orienting
-
orifice
an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
-
ornate
marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
-
ornery
having a difficult and contrary disposition
-
ornithologist
a zoologist who studies birds
-
orthodox
adhering to what is commonly accepted
-
orthography
a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols
-
oscillate
move or swing from side to side regularly
-
osseous
composed of or containing bone
-
ossify
become bony
-
ostensible
appearing as such but not necessarily so
-
ostentatious
intended to attract notice and impress others
-
ostracize
expel from a community or group
-
oust
remove from a position or office
-
outcast
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
-
outfit
a set of clothing (with accessories)
-
outgoing
at ease in talking to others
-
outlandish
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
-
outlaw
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
outlook
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
-
outmoded
out of fashion
-
outrage
a disgraceful event
-
outskirts
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
-
outspoken
given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
-
outstrip
go far ahead of
-
outwit
beat through cleverness and wit
-
ovation
enthusiastic recognition (especially one accompanied by loud applause)
-
overbearing
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
overblown
puffed up with vanity
-
oversee
watch and direct
-
overt
open and observable; not secret or hidden
-
overthrow
rule against
-
overture
orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
-
overturn
cause to overturn from an upright or normal position
-
overweening
presumptuously arrogant
-
overwhelm
cover completely or make imperceptible
-
overwrought
deeply agitated especially from emotion
-
ovoid
rounded like an egg
-
pachyderm
any of various nonruminant hoofed mammals having very thick skin: elephant; rhinoceros; hippopotamus
-
pacifist
someone opposed to violence as a means of settling disputes
-
pacify
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
padre
a chaplain in one of the military services
-
paean
(ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)
-
painstaking
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
palatable
acceptable to the taste or mind
-
palate
the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
-
palatial
relating to or being a palace
-
paleontology
the earth science that studies fossil organisms and related remains
-
palette
board that provides a flat surface on which artists mix paints and the range of colors used
-
palimpsest
a manuscript (usually written on papyrus or parchment) on which more than one text has been written with the earlier writing incompletely erased and still visible
-
pall
burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
-
pallet
a hand tool with a flat blade used by potters for mixing and shaping clay
-
palliate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
pallid
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
-
palm
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
-
palpable
capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt
-
palpitate
beat rapidly
-
paltry
contemptibly small in amount
-
pan
shallow container made of metal
-
panacea
hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists
-
panache
distinctive and stylish elegance
-
pandemic
existing everywhere
-
pandemonium
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
-
pander
arrange for sexual partners for others
-
panegyric
formally expressing praise
-
pang
a sudden sharp feeling
-
panoramic
as from an altitude or distance
-
pantomime
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
-
papyrus
tall sedge of the Nile valley yielding fiber that served many purposes in historic times
-
parable
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
-
paradigm
a standard or typical example
-
paradox
(logic) a statement that contradicts itself
-
paragon
an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
-
parallel
being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting
-
parallelism
similarity by virtue of corresponding
-
parameter
a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves
-
paramount
having superior power and influence
-
paramour
a woman's lover
-
paranoia
a psychological disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur
-
paraphernalia
equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles needed for a particular operation or sport etc.
-
paraphrase
express the same message in different words
-
parasite
an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
-
parched
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
-
parchment
a superior paper resembling sheepskin
-
pare
strip the skin off
-
pariah
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
-
parish
a local church community
-
parity
functional equality
-
parlance
a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
-
parley
a negotiation between enemies
-
parochial
relating to or supported by or located in a parish
-
parody
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
paroxysm
a sudden uncontrollable attack
-
parquet
a floor made of parquetry
-
parry
impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
-
parsimony
extreme stinginess
-
partial
being or affecting only a part; not total
-
partiality
an inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over alternatives
-
partisan
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
-
partition
the act of dividing or partitioning; separation by the creation of a boundary that divides or keeps apart
-
parvenu
a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
-
pass off
cause to be circulated and accepted in a false character or identity
-
passe
out of fashion
-
passive
lacking in energy or will
-
paste
any mixture of a soft and malleable consistency
-
pastiche
a work of art that imitates the style of some previous work
-
pastoral
relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle
-
pastry
any of various baked foods made of dough or batter
-
patent
a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
-
pathetic
deserving or inciting pity
-
pathological
of or relating to the practice of pathology
-
pathos
a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)
-
patina
a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
-
patois
a regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard
-
patriarch
the male head of family or tribe
-
patrician
a person of refined upbringing and manners
-
patrimony
an inheritance coming by right of birth (especially by primogeniture)
-
patronize
assume sponsorship of
-
paucity
an insufficient quantity or number
-
pauper
a person who is very poor
-
peccadillo
a petty misdeed
-
pecuniary
relating to or involving money
-
pedagogue
someone who educates young people
-
pedagogy
the profession of a teacher
-
pedant
a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
-
pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
-
peddle
sell or offer for sale from place to place
-
pedestal
an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
-
pedestrian
a person who travels by foot
-
pediatrician
a specialist in the care of babies
-
pedigree
the descendants of one individual
-
peer
look searchingly
-
peerless
eminent beyond or above comparison
-
peevish
easily irritated or annoyed
-
pejorative
expressing disapproval
-
pell-mell
in a wild or reckless manner
-
pellucid
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
-
pen
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
-
penance
voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing
-
penchant
a strong liking
-
pendant
an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry (necklace or earring)
-
pending
awaiting conclusion or confirmation
-
pendulous
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
-
penetrate
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
-
penitent
feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
-
penology
the branch of criminology concerned with prison management and prisoner rehabilitation
-
pensive
deeply or seriously thoughtful
-
penumbra
a fringe region of partial shadow around an umbra
-
penury
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
peon
a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
-
perceptive
of or relating to perception
-
percussion
the act of exploding a percussion cap
-
perdition
(Christianity) the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment
-
peregrination
traveling or wandering around
-
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
-
perennial
lasting three seasons or more
-
perfidious
tending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans
-
perforate
make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
-
perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
perigee
periapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is nearest to the Earth
-
perimeter
a line enclosing a plane areas
-
peripatetic
traveling especially on foot
-
peripheral
on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary; the outer area
-
periphery
the outside boundary or surface of something
-
perjury
criminal offense of making false statements under oath
-
perk
an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
-
permeable
allowing fluids or gases to pass or diffuse through
-
permissive
granting or inclined or able to grant permission; not strict in discipline
-
pernicious
exceedingly harmful
-
peroration
(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration
-
perpetrate
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
-
perpetual
continuing forever or indefinitely
-
perpetuate
cause to continue or prevail
-
perquisite
an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
-
persevere
be persistent, refuse to stop
-
persist
be persistent, refuse to stop
-
personable
(of persons) pleasant in appearance and personality
-
personify
attribute human qualities to something
-
perspicacious
mentally acute or penetratingly discerning
-
perspicuity
clarity as a consequence of being perspicuous
-
perspicuous
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
pert
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
-
pertinacious
stubbornly unyielding
-
pertinent
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
perturb
disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed
-
peruse
examine or consider with attention and in detail
-
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
-
perverse
deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper or good
-
perversion
the action of perverting something (turning it to a wrong use)
-
pervert
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
-
pessimism
a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things
-
pestilent
likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
-
pestilential
likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
-
pestle
a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar
-
petrify
change into stone
-
pettifogging
-
petty
(informal) small and of little importance
-
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
-
phalanx
any closely ranked crowd of people
-
pharisaical
excessively or hypocritically pious
-
pharisee
a self-righteous or sanctimonious person
-
phenomenon
any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning
-
philanderer
a man who likes many women and has short sexual relationships with them
-
philanthropist
someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
-
philatelist
a collector and student of postage stamps
-
philistine
a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
-
philology
the humanistic study of language and literature
-
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
-
phobia
an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations
-
Phoenix
the state capital and largest city located in south central Arizona; situated in a former desert that has become a prosperous agricultural area thanks to irrigation
-
phrenetic
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
-
phylum
(biology) the major taxonomic group of animals and plants; contains classes
-
physiognomy
the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
-
physiological
of or relating to the biological study of physiology
-
piebald
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
-
piecemeal
one thing at a time
-
pied
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
-
piety
righteousness by virtue of being pious
-
pigment
dry coloring material (especially a powder to be mixed with a liquid to produce paint, etc.)
-
pilfer
make off with belongings of others
-
pillage
steal goods; take as spoils
-
pillory
a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn
-
pinch
squeeze tightly between the fingers
-
pine
a coniferous tree
-
pinion
wing of a bird
-
pinnace
a boat for communication between ship and shore
-
pinnacle
(architecture) a slender upright spire at the top of a buttress of tower
-
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
-
piquant
having an agreeably pungent taste
-
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
-
piscatorial
relating to or characteristic of the activity of fishing
-
pitfall
an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
-
pith
soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
-
pithy
concise and full of meaning
-
pittance
an inadequate payment
-
pivotal
being of crucial importance
-
placate
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
placebo
an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug
-
placid
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
-
plagiarize
take without referencing from someone else's writing or speech; of intellectual property
-
plaintive
expressing sorrow
-
plait
a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
-
plane
(mathematics) an unbounded two-dimensional shape
-
plaster
a mixture of lime or gypsum with sand and water; hardens into a smooth solid; used to cover walls and ceilings
-
plasticity
the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking
-
platitude
a trite or obvious remark
-
platonic
free from physical desire
-
plaudit
enthusiastic approval
-
plausible
apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful
-
plebeian
of or associated with the great masses of people
-
plebiscite
a vote by the electorate determining public opinion on a question of national importance
-
plenary
full in all respects
-
plenitude
a full supply
-
plethora
extreme excess
-
pliable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
pliant
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
plight
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
-
ploy
a maneuver in a game or conversation
-
pluck
pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion
-
plumage
the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
plumber
a craftsman who installs and repairs pipes and fixtures and appliances
-
plume
the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
-
plummet
drop sharply
-
plump
sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure
-
plutocracy
a political system governed by the wealthy people
-
podiatrist
a specialist in care for the feet
-
podium
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
-
poignancy
a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)
-
poise
hold or carry in equilibrium
-
polar
of or existing at or near a geographical pole or within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles
-
polarity
a relation between two opposite attributes or tendencies
-
polarize
cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions
-
polemic
a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
-
polemical
of or involving dispute or controversy
-
politic
marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness
-
polity
the form of government of a social organization
-
polygamist
someone who is married to two or more people at the same time
-
polyglot
a person who speaks more than one language
-
pomposity
lack of elegance as a consequence of being pompous and puffed up with vanity
-
ponderous
having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
-
pontifical
proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles
-
pore
any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas)
-
porous
full of pores or vessels or holes
-
porridge
soft food made by boiling oatmeal or other meal or legumes in water or milk until thick
-
portend
indicate by signs
-
portly
euphemisms for `fat'
-
pose
assume a posture as for artistic purposes
-
poseur
a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not
-
posterity
all future generations
-
posthumous
occurring or coming into existence after a person's death
-
postmortem
occurring or done after death
-
postulate
maintain or assert
-
posture
the arrangement of the body and its limbs
-
potable
suitable for drinking
-
potent
having or wielding force or authority
-
potentate
a ruler who is unconstrained by law
-
potential
existing in possibility
-
potion
a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage
-
potpourri
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
-
poultice
a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.
-
practicable
capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are
-
practical
guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory
-
pragmatic
concerned with practical matters
-
pragmatist
an adherent of philosophical pragmatism
-
prance
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
-
prank
a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
-
prate
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
-
prattle
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
-
preamble
a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)
-
precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties
-
precedent
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
-
precept
rule of personal conduct
-
precinct
a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
-
precipice
a very steep cliff
-
precipitant
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
-
precipitate
hurl or throw violently
-
precipitous
extremely steep
-
precis
a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
-
precise
sharply exact or accurate or delimited
-
preclude
make impossible, especially beforehand
-
precocious
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
-
precursor
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
predator
any animal that lives by preying on other animals
-
predecessor
one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
-
predetermine
determine beforehand
-
predicament
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
-
predilection
a predisposition in favor of something
-
predispose
make susceptible
-
preeminent
greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement
-
preempt
acquire for oneself before others can do so
-
preen
clean with one's bill
-
prefatory
serving as an introduction or preface
-
prefigure
imagine or consider beforehand
-
prehensile
adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
-
prelate
a senior clergyman and dignitary
-
prelude
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
-
premeditate
consider, ponder, or plan (an action) beforehand
-
premise
a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
-
premonition
an early warning about a future event
-
premonitory
warning of future misfortune
-
preponderance
exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
-
prepossessing
creating a favorable impression
-
preposterous
incongruous;inviting ridicule
-
prerogative
a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
-
presage
a foreboding about what is about to happen
-
prescience
the power to foresee the future
-
presentiment
a feeling of evil to come
-
prestige
a high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.
-
presume
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
-
presumptuous
excessively forward
-
pretend
make believe with the intent to deceive
-
pretension
the advancing of a claim
-
pretentious
making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
-
preternatural
existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
-
pretext
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
-
prevail
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
-
prevalent
most frequent or common
-
prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
prey
animal hunted or caught for food
-
prim
affectedly dainty or refined
-
primal
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
-
primary
of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary
-
primate
any placental mammal of the order Primates; has good eyesight and flexible hands and feet
-
prime
used of the first or originating agent
-
primogeniture
right of inheritance belongs exclusively to the eldest son
-
primordial
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
-
primp
dress or groom with elaborate care
-
pristine
immaculately clean and unused
-
privation
act of depriving someone of food or money or rights
-
privy
hidden from general view or use
-
prize
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
-
probe
an exploratory action or expedition
-
probity
complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
-
problematic
making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
-
proclivity
a natural inclination
-
procrastinate
postpone doing what one should be doing
-
procurement
the act of getting possession of something
-
prod
to push against gently
-
prodigal
recklessly wasteful
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
prodigy
an unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration
-
profane
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
-
profligate
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
profound
situated at or extending to great depth; too deep to have been sounded or plumbed
-
profusion
the property of being extremely abundant
-
progenitor
an ancestor in the direct line
-
progeny
the immediate descendants of a person
-
prognosis
a prediction of the course of a disease
-
prognosticate
make a prediction about; tell in advance
-
prohibitive
tending to discourage (especially of prices)
-
projectile
a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled
-
proletarian
belonging to or characteristic of the proletariat
-
proliferate
grow rapidly
-
prolific
intellectually productive
-
prolixity
boring verbosity
-
prologue
an introduction to a play
-
prolong
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
-
prominent
conspicuous in position or importance
-
promiscuous
casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
-
promontory
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
-
promote
give a promotion to or assign to a higher position
-
prompt
according to schedule or without delay; on time
-
promulgate
state or announce
-
prone
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
-
prong
a pointed projection
-
pronounced
strongly marked; easily noticeable
-
prop
a support placed beneath or against something to keep it from shaking or falling
-
propagate
multiply sexually or asexually
-
propellant
any substance that propels
-
propellent
any substance that propels
-
propensity
a natural inclination
-
prophetic
foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
-
prophylactic
preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
-
propinquity
the property of being close together
-
propitiate
make peace with
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
proponent
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
-
propound
put forward, as of an idea
-
propriety
correct or appropriate behavior
-
propulsive
having the power to propel
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
proscenium
the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain)
-
proscribe
command against
-
proselytize
convert to another faith or religion
-
prosody
the study of poetic meter and the art of versification
-
prosper
make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance
-
prosperity
the condition of prospering; having good fortune
-
prosperous
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
-
prostrate
stretched out and lying at full length along the ground
-
protagonist
the principal character in a work of fiction
-
protean
taking on different forms
-
protege
a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career
-
protocol
forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state
-
prototype
a standard or typical example
-
protract
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
-
protrude
extend out or project in space
-
protuberance
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
-
provenance
where something originated or was nurtured in its early existence
-
provender
food for domestic livestock
-
proverb
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
-
providence
the prudence and care exercised by someone in the management of resources
-
provident
providing carefully for the future
-
provincial
of or associated with a province
-
provision
the activity of supplying or providing something
-
provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
-
proviso
a stipulated condition
-
provocative
serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; stimulating discussion or exciting controversy
-
prowess
a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
-
proximity
the property of being close together
-
proxy
a person authorized to act for another
-
prude
a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum
-
prudent
careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
-
prune
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
-
prurient
characterized by lust
-
pry
be nosey
-
pseudonym
a fictitious name used when the person performs a particular social role
-
psyche
that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason
-
psychiatrist
a physician who specializes in psychiatry
-
psychic
a person apparently sensitive to things beyond the natural range of perception
-
psychopathic
suffering from an undiagnosed mental disorder
-
psychosis
any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted
-
psychosomatic
used of illness or symptoms resulting from neurosis
-
pterodactyl
extinct flying reptile
-
pucker
to gather something into small wrinkles or folds
-
pudding
any of various soft thick unsweetened baked dishes
-
puerile
displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
-
pugilist
someone who fights with his fists for sport
-
pugnacity
a natural disposition to be hostile
-
puissant
powerful
-
pulchritude
physical beauty (especially of a woman)
-
pulmonary
relating to or affecting the lungs
-
pulpit
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
-
pulsate
expand and contract rhythmically; beat rhythmically
-
pulse
the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart
-
pulverize
make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust
-
pummel
strike, usually with the fist
-
punctilious
marked by precise accordance with details
-
pundit
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
pungent
strong and sharp;"the pungent taste of radishes"
-
punitive
inflicting punishment
-
puny
(used especially of persons) of inferior size
-
purchase
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
-
purgatory
(theology) in Roman Catholic theology the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited torment to expiate their sins
-
purge
rid of impurities
-
purport
have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
-
purported
-
purse
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
-
purveyor
someone who supplies provisions (especially food)
-
pushy
marked by aggressive ambition and energy and initiative
-
pusillanimous
lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
-
putative
purported; commonly put forth or accepted as true on inconclusive grounds
-
putrefy
become putrid; decay with an offensive smell
-
putrescent
becoming putrid
-
putrid
of or relating to or attended by putrefaction
-
puzzle
be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding or being able to decide
-
pyromaniac
a person with a mania for setting things on fire
-
quack
the harsh sound of a duck
-
quadruped
an animal especially a mammal having four limbs specialized for walking
-
quaff
to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
-
quagmire
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
-
quail
small gallinaceous game birds
-
quaint
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
-
qualified
meeting the proper standards and requirements and training for an office or position or task
-
qualify
describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
quandary
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
quarantine
isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease
-
quarry
animal hunted or caught for food
-
quash
declare invalid
-
quay
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
-
queasy
causing or able to cause nausea
-
queer
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
-
quell
suppress or crush completely
-
quench
satisfy (thirst)
-
querulous
habitually complaining
-
query
an instance of questioning
-
queue
a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
-
quibble
evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
-
quicksilver
a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures
-
quiescent
being quiet or still or inactive
-
quietude
a state of peace and quiet
-
quintessence
the purest and most concentrated essence of something
-
quip
a witty saying
-
quirk
a strange attitude or habit
-
quisling
someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force
-
quiver
shake with fast, tremulous movements
-
quixotic
not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic
-
quizzical
perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)
-
quorum
a gathering of the minimal number of members of an organization to conduct business
-
quotidian
found in the ordinary course of events
-
rabble
a disorderly crowd of people
-
rabid
marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea
-
rabies
an acute viral disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals (usually transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal); rabies is fatal if the virus reaches the brain
-
raconteur
a person skilled in telling anecdotes
-
raffle
a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money
-
rag
a small piece of cloth or paper
-
ragamuffin
a dirty shabbily clothed urchin
-
rail
a horizontal bar (usually of wood or metal)
-
raiment
especially fine or decorative clothing
-
rake
a long-handled tool with a row of teeth at its head; used to move leaves or loosen soil
-
rakish
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
-
rally
gather
-
ram
uncastrated adult male sheep
-
ramble
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
-
ramification
a development that complicates a situation
-
ramify
have or develop complicating consequences
-
ramp
an inclined surface connecting two levels
-
rampant
unrestrained and violent
-
rampart
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
-
ramshackle
in deplorable condition
-
rancid
(used of decomposing oils or fats) having a rank smell or taste usually due to a chemical change or decomposition
-
rancor
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
-
random
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
-
rank
relative status
-
rankle
gnaw into; make resentful or angry
-
ransack
search thoroughly
-
rant
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
rapacious
living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
-
rapport
a relationship of mutual understanding or trust and agreement between people
-
rapt
feeling great rapture or delight
-
rapture
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
-
rare
marked by an uncommon quality; especially superlative or extreme of its kind
-
rarefied
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
rasp
scrape with a rasp
-
raspy
unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
-
ratify
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
-
ratiocination
the proposition arrived at by logical reasoning (such as the proposition that must follow from the major and minor premises of a syllogism)
-
ration
a fixed portion that is allotted (especially in times of scarcity)
-
rational
consistent with or based on or using reason
-
rationale
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
-
rationalize
think rationally; employ logic or reason
-
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
ravage
cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
-
rave
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
-
ravel
disentangle
-
ravenous
extremely hungry
-
ravine
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
-
raze
tear down so as to make flat with the ground
-
reactionary
extremely conservative
-
realm
a domain in which something is dominant
-
reaper
someone who helps to gather the harvest
-
rebate
a refund of some fraction of the amount paid
-
rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
-
rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
rebus
a puzzle where you decode a message consisting of pictures representing syllables and words
-
rebuttal
the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument
-
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
recant
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
recapitulate
summarize briefly
-
recast
cast again
-
receptive
able to absorb liquid (not repellent)
-
recess
a state of abeyance or suspended business
-
recession
the act of ceding back
-
recidivism
habitual relapse into crime
-
recipient
a person who receives something
-
reciprocal
concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return
-
reciprocate
act, feel, or give mutually or in return
-
recital
a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance
-
recite
repeat aloud from memory
-
reckon
make a mathematical calculation or computation
-
recline
move the upper body backwards and down
-
recluse
one who lives in solitude
-
reconcile
come to terms
-
recondite
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
reconnaissance
the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
-
recount
narrate or give a detailed account of
-
recourse
act of turning to for assistance
-
recreant
having deserted a cause or principle
-
recrimination
mutual accusations
-
rectify
make right or correct
-
rectitude
righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
-
recumbent
lying down; in a position of comfort or rest
-
recuperate
restore to good health or strength
-
recurrent
recurring again and again
-
redolent
having a strong pleasant odor
-
redoubtable
inspiring fear
-
redress
make reparations or amends for
-
reduce
make smaller
-
redundant
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
reek
give off smoke, fumes, warm vapour, steam, etc.
-
refectory
a communal dining-hall (usually in a monastery)
-
referendum
a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate
-
refraction
the change in direction of a propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
refrain
resist doing something
-
refulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
-
refurbish
make brighter and prettier
-
refuse
show unwillingness towards
-
refute
overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
-
regal
belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
-
regale
provide with choice or abundant food or drink
-
regatta
a meeting for boat races
-
regeneration
forming again (especially with improvements or removal of defects); renewing and reconstituting
-
regent
someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
-
regicide
the act of killing a king
-
regime
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
-
regimen
(medicine) a systematic plan for therapy (often including diet)
-
regiment
army unit smaller than a division
-
rehabilitate
help to readapt, as to a former state of health or good repute
-
reimburse
pay back for some expense incurred
-
reinstate
bring back into original existence, use, function, or position
-
reintegrate
integrate again
-
reiterate
to say, state, or perform again
-
rejoinder
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
rejuvenate
make younger or more youthful
-
relapse
deteriorate in health
-
relegate
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
-
relent
give in, as to influence or pressure
-
relevant
having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
-
relic
an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
-
religious
having or showing belief in and reverence for a deity
-
relinquish
turn away from; give up
-
relish
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
-
remediable
capable of being remedied or redressed
-
reminiscence
a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
-
reminiscent
serving to bring to mind
-
remiss
failing in what duty requires
-
remission
(law) the act of remitting (especially the referral of a law case to another court)
-
remit
send (money) in payment
-
remittance
a payment of money sent to a person in another place
-
remnant
a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists
-
remonstrate
argue in protest or opposition
-
remorse
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
remote
located far away spatially
-
remunerative
for which money is paid
-
rend
tear or be torn violently
-
render
give or supply
-
rendezvous
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
-
rendition
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
-
renegade
someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
-
renege
fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
-
renounce
turn away from; give up
-
renovate
restore to a previous or better condition
-
renown
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
-
rent
a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
-
reparable
capable of being repaired or rectified
-
reparation
something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
-
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
-
repast
the food served and eaten at one time
-
repeal
cancel officially
-
repel
force or drive back
-
repellent
serving or tending to repel
-
repercussion
a remote or indirect consequence of some action
-
repertoire
the entire range of skills or aptitudes or devices used in a particular field or occupation
-
repine
express discontent
-
replenish
fill something that had previously been emptied
-
replete
filled to satisfaction with food or drink
-
replica
copy that is not the original; something that has been copied
-
replicate
reproduce or make an exact copy of
-
repose
freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
-
repository
a facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping
-
reprehensible
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
-
representational
(used especially of art) depicting objects, figures,or scenes as seen
-
repress
conceal or hide
-
reprieve
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
-
reprimand
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
-
reprise
repeat an earlier theme of a composition
-
reproach
express criticism towards
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
reprobation
severe disapproval
-
reprove
take to task
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
repugnance
intense aversion
-
repulse
force or drive back
-
repulsion
the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand
-
reputable
having a good reputation
-
reputed
-
requiem
a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
-
requisite
necessary for relief or supply
-
requisition
the act of requiring; an authoritative request or demand, especially by a military or public authority that takes something over (usually temporarily) for military or public use
-
requite
make repayment for or return something
-
rescind
cancel officially
-
resentment
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
-
reserve
hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency
-
residual
relating to or indicating a remainder
-
residue
matter that remains after something has been removed
-
resign
accept as inevitable
-
resignation
the act of giving up (a claim or office or possession etc.)
-
resilient
recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
-
resolution
finding a solution to a problem
-
resolve
find the solution
-
resonant
characterized by resonance
-
resort
have recourse to
-
resound
emit a noise
-
resourceful
having inner resources; adroit or imaginative
-
respiration
a single complete act of breathing in and out
-
respite
a pause from doing something (as work)
-
resplendent
having great beauty and splendor
-
responsiveness
the quality of being responsive; reacting quickly; as a quality of people, it involves responding with emotion to people and events
-
restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
-
restive
being in a tense state
-
restraint
the act of controlling by restraining someone or something
-
resumption
beginning again
-
resurge
rise again
-
resurrect
cause to become alive again
-
resuscitate
cause to regain consciousness
-
retain
secure and keep for possible future use or application
-
retaliate
make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil
-
retard
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
-
retentive
having the capacity to retain something
-
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
retinue
the group following and attending to some important person
-
retiring
of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
-
retort
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
retract
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
retrench
tighten one's belt; use resources carefully
-
retribution
the act of correcting for your wrongdoing
-
retrieve
get or find back; recover the use of
-
retroactive
affecting things past
-
retrograde
moving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction
-
retrospective
concerned with or related to the past
-
revelry
unrestrained merrymaking
-
reverberate
ring or echo with sound
-
reverend
worthy of adoration or reverence
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
reverie
an abstracted state of absorption
-
revert
go back to a previous state
-
revile
spread negative information about
-
revoke
cancel officially
-
revulsion
intense aversion
-
rhapsodize
say (something) with great enthusiasm
-
rhapsody
an epic poem adapted for recitation
-
rhetoric
study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)
-
ribald
humorously vulgar
-
rickety
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
-
riddle
pierce with many holes
-
rider
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
-
rife
excessively abundant
-
rift
a narrow fissure in rock
-
rig
equip with sails or masts
-
righteous
morally justified
-
rightful
legally valid
-
rigid
incapable of or resistant to bending
-
rigor
excessive sternness
-
rile
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
-
rip
tear or be torn violently
-
rivet
heavy pin having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together
-
riveting
capable of arousing and holding the attention
-
rivulet
a small stream
-
robust
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
-
rococo
having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation
-
roil
make turbid by stirring up the sediments of
-
roister
engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
-
rolling
propelling something on wheels
-
romp
play boisterously
-
rooster
adult male chicken
-
roseate
of something having a dusty purplish pink color
-
roster
a list of names
-
rostrum
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
-
rote
memorization by repetition
-
rotund
spherical in shape
-
rotunda
a building having a circular plan and a dome
-
rotundity
the roundness of a 3-dimensional object
-
roue
a dissolute man in fashionable society
-
rousing
capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
-
rout
an overwhelming defeat
-
rubble
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
-
rubric
category name
-
ruddy
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
-
rudimentary
being in the earliest stages of development
-
rue
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
-
ruffian
a cruel and brutal fellow
-
rumble
to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
-
ruminant
any of various cud-chewing hoofed mammals having a stomach divided into four (occasionally three) compartments
-
ruminate
reflect deeply on a subject
-
rummage
search haphazardly
-
run-down
worn and broken down by hard use
-
runic
relating to or consisting of runes
-
ruse
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
-
rustic
characteristic of rural life
-
rusticate
live in the country and lead a rustic life
-
rustle
make a dry crackling sound
-
ruthless
without mercy or pity
-
saboteur
someone who commits sabotage or deliberately causes wrecks
-
saccharine
overly sweet
-
sacrilegious
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
-
sacrosanct
must be kept sacred
-
sadistic
deriving pleasure or sexual gratification from inflicting pain on another
-
saga
a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled Iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
-
sagacious
acutely insightful and wise
-
sage
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom
-
salacious
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
salient
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
-
saline
containing salt
-
sallow
unhealthy looking
-
salubrious
promoting health; healthful
-
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
-
salvage
the act of rescuing a ship or its crew or its cargo from a shipwreck or a fire
-
sanctimonious
excessively or hypocritically pious
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
sanctuary
a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
-
sanguinary
accompanied by bloodshed
-
sanguine
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
-
sap
a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant
-
sarcasm
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
-
sardonic
disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking
-
sartorial
of or relating to a tailor or to tailoring
-
sate
fill to satisfaction
-
satellite
any celestial body orbiting around a planet or star
-
satiate
fill to satisfaction
-
satire
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
-
satirical
exposing human folly to ridicule
-
saturate
infuse or fill completely
-
saturnine
bitter or scornful
-
satyr
one of a class of woodland deities; attendant on Bacchus; identified with Roman fauns
-
saunter
walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
-
savant
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
savor
the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
-
savory
pleasing to the sense of taste
-
scabbard
a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
-
scad
any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae
-
scaffold
a temporary arrangement erected around a building for convenience of workers
-
scale
an ordered reference standard
-
scanty
lacking in amplitude or quantity
-
scapegoat
someone who is punished for the errors of others
-
scavenge
clean refuse from
-
scenario
an outline or synopsis of a play (or, by extension, of a literary work)
-
schematic
represented in simplified or symbolic form
-
scheme
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
-
schism
division of a group into opposing factions
-
scholarly
characteristic of scholars or scholarship
-
scintilla
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
-
scintillate
emit or reflect light in a flickering manner
-
scion
a descendent or heir
-
scoff
laugh at with contempt and derision
-
scorch
burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
-
score
a number that expresses the accomplishment of a team or an individual in a game or contest
-
scotch
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
scourge
something causing misery or death
-
scowl
frown with displeasure
-
scrap
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
-
scrappy
full of fighting spirit
-
scraps
food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
-
screech
sharp piercing cry
-
scrimmage
(American football) practice play between a football team's squads
-
scruple
an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
-
scrupulous
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
scrutinize
examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
-
scuffle
fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters
-
scurrilous
expressing offensive reproach
-
scurry
to move about or proceed hurriedly
-
scurvy
a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
-
scuttle
an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
-
seamy
morally degraded
-
sear
become superficially burned
-
season
one of the natural periods into which the year is divided by the equinoxes and solstices or atmospheric conditions
-
seasonable
in keeping with the season
-
seasonal
occurring at or dependent on a particular season
-
seasoned
aged or processed
-
secession
formal separation from an alliance or federation
-
seclusion
the act of secluding yourself from others
-
secrete
generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
-
sect
a subdivision of a larger religious group
-
sectarian
of or relating to or characteristic of a sect or sects
-
secular
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
-
sedate
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
sedentary
requiring sitting or little activity
-
sedition
an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government
-
seduce
lure or entice away from duty, principles, or proper conduct
-
sedulous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
seedy
full of seeds
-
seemly
according with custom or propriety
-
seep
pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
-
seethe
foam as if boiling
-
seine
a large fishnet that hangs vertically, with floats at the top and weights at the bottom
-
seismic
subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration
-
selective
characterized by very careful or fastidious selection
-
self-indulgence
an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires
-
self-righteous
excessively or hypocritically pious
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
seminal
pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen
-
seminary
a theological school for training ministers or priests or rabbis
-
senility
the state of being senile
-
sensitization
(psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)
-
sensual
marked by the appetites and passions of the body
-
sensuous
taking delight in beauty
-
sententious
concise and full of meaning
-
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
-
sentimental
given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality
-
sentinel
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
-
septic
of or relating to or caused by putrefaction
-
sepulcher
a chamber that is used as a grave
-
sequester
keep away from others
-
sere
(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
-
serendipity
good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
-
serenity
the absence of mental stress or anxiety
-
serpentine
resembling a serpent in form
-
serrated
notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
-
servile
submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
-
servitude
state of subjection to an owner or master or forced labor imposed as punishment
-
sever
set or keep apart
-
severity
excessive sternness
-
sextant
a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
-
shack
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
-
shackle
a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
-
shade
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
-
sham
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
-
shambles
a condition of great disorder
-
Shangri-la
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
-
shard
a broken piece of a brittle artifact
-
shaving
a thin fragment or slice (especially of wood) that has been shaved from something
-
sheaf
a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
-
shear
cut or cut through with shears
-
sheathe
enclose with a sheath
-
shed
cause or allow (a solid substance) to flow or run out or over
-
sheer
so thin as to transmit light
-
sherbet
a frozen dessert made primarily of fruit juice and sugar, but also containing milk or egg-white or gelatin
-
shift
move very slightly
-
shimmer
shine with a weak or fitful light
-
shirk
avoid (one's assigned duties)
-
shoddy
of inferior workmanship and materials
-
shoot
fire a shot
-
shove
come into rough contact with while moving
-
shrew
small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
shrivel
wither, as with a loss of moisture
-
shudder
tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
-
shuffle
walk by dragging one's feet
-
shun
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
shunt
a conductor having low resistance in parallel with another device to divert a fraction of the current
-
shyster
a person (especially a lawyer or politician) who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods
-
sibling
a person's brother or sister
-
sibylline
resembling or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
-
sidereal
of or relating to the stars or constellations
-
sidetrack
wander from a direct or straight course
-
sift
move as if through a sieve
-
significant
rich in significance or implication
-
silt
mud or clay or small rocks deposited by a river or lake
-
simian
relating to or resembling an ape
-
simile
a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
-
simper
smile affectedly or derisively
-
simplistic
characterized by extreme and often misleading simplicity
-
simulate
reproduce someone's behavior or looks
-
sinecure
an office that involves minimal duties
-
sinewy
consisting of tendons or resembling a tendon
-
singular
being a single and separate person or thing
-
sinister
stemming from evil characteristics or forces; wicked or dishonorable
-
sinuous
curved or curving in and out
-
siren
a warning signal that is a loud wailing sound
-
skeptic
someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
-
skiff
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
-
skim
remove from the surface
-
skimp
work hastily or carelessly; deal with inadequately and superficially
-
skinflint
a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
-
skirmish
a minor short-term fight
-
skittish
unpredictably excitable (especially of horses)
-
skulduggery
verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way
-
skulk
avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
-
skullduggery
verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way
-
slack
not tense or taut
-
slacken
become slow or slower
-
slag
the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
-
slake
satisfy (thirst)
-
slander
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
-
slap
a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
-
slapdash
marked by great carelessness
-
slaughter
the killing of animals (as for food)
-
slavish
abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant
-
sleazy
morally degraded
-
sledge
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
-
sleek
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
-
sleeper
a rester who is sleeping
-
sleigh
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
-
sleight
adroitness in using the hands
-
slew
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
-
slick
made slick by e.g. ice or grease
-
slight
(quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some
-
slink
walk stealthily
-
slipshod
marked by great carelessness
-
slither
to pass or move unobtrusively or smoothly
-
sloth
a disinclination to work or exert yourself
-
slough
a hollow filled with mud
-
slovenly
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
-
sluggard
an idle slothful person
-
sluggish
moving slowly
-
sluice
conduit that carries a rapid flow of water controlled by a sluicegate
-
slur
utter indistinctly
-
sly
marked by skill in deception
-
smart
characterized by quickness and ease in learning
-
smattering
a slight or superficial understanding of a subject
-
smear
make a smudge on; soil by smudging
-
smelt
extract (metals) by heating
-
smirk
smile affectedly or derisively
-
smolder
burn slowly and without a flame
-
smother
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
-
smudge
make a smudge on; soil by smudging
-
smug
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
-
sneak
to go stealthily or furtively
-
snicker
laugh quietly
-
snip
sever or remove by pinching or snipping
-
snivel
cry or whine with snuffling
-
snub
refuse to acknowledge
-
snuffle
snuff up mucus through the nose
-
soar
rise rapidly
-
sober
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
-
sobriety
the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol
-
sodden
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
-
sojourn
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
-
solace
comfort in disappointment or misery
-
solder
join or fuse with solder
-
solecism
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
solemnity
a trait of dignified seriousness
-
solicit
make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently
-
solicitor
a British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents
-
solicitous
full of anxiety and concern
-
soliloquy
speech you make to yourself
-
solitude
a state of social isolation
-
solstice
either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator
-
soluble
(of a substance) capable of being dissolved in some solvent (usually water)
-
solvent
capable of meeting financial obligations
-
somatic
affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
-
somber
grave or even gloomy in character
-
somnambulist
someone who walks about in their sleep
-
somnolent
inclined to or marked by drowsiness
-
sonic
(of speed) having or caused by speed approximately equal to that of sound in air at sea level
-
sonnet
a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
-
sonorous
full and loud and deep
-
soothsayer
someone who makes predictions of the future (usually on the basis of special knowledge)
-
sophist
someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
-
sophisticated
having or appealing to those having worldly knowledge and refinement and savoir-faire
-
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
soporific
sleep inducing
-
sordid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
sound
mechanical vibrations transmitted by an elastic medium
-
sour
one of the four basic taste sensations; like the taste of vinegar or lemons
-
South America
a continent in the western hemisphere connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama
-
sovereign
a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
-
sovereignty
the authority of a state to govern another state
-
sow
place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth
-
spangle
adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material used to decorate clothing
-
spare
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
sparse
not dense
-
spartan
unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
-
spasmodic
occurring in spells and often abruptly
-
spat
a quarrel about petty points
-
spate
a sudden forceful flow
-
spatial
pertaining to or involving or having the nature of space
-
spatula
a hand tool with a thin flexible blade used to mix or spread soft substances
-
spawn
the mass of eggs deposited by fish or amphibians or molluscs
-
specious
plausible but false
-
speck
a very small spot
-
spectral
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
-
spectrum
a broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities
-
speechless
temporarily incapable of speaking
-
spendthrift
someone who spends money prodigally
-
spin
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
-
splice
join the ends of
-
spoilsport
someone who spoils the pleasure of others
-
spontaneity
the quality of being spontaneous and coming from natural feelings without constraint
-
spoof
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
spoonerism
transposition of initial consonants in a pair of words
-
sporadic
recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
-
sportive
given to merry frolicking
-
sprightly
full of spirit and vitality
-
sprout
produce buds, branches, or germinate
-
spruce
any coniferous tree of the genus Picea
-
spry
moving quickly and lightly
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
spurn
reject with contempt
-
squabble
a quarrel about petty points
-
squalor
sordid dirtiness
-
squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away
-
squash
any of numerous annual trailing plants of the genus Cucurbita grown for their fleshy edible fruits
-
squat
sit on one's heels
-
squeamish
excessively fastidious and easily disgusted
-
squelch
suppress or crush completely
-
staccato
separating the notes; in music
-
stagnant
not growing or changing; without force or vitality
-
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
stalemate
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
-
stalwart
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
-
stamina
enduring strength and energy
-
stammer
speak haltingly
-
stamp
walk heavily
-
stampede
a wild headlong rush of frightened animals (horses or cattle)
-
stanch
stop the flow of a liquid
-
standstill
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
-
stanza
a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
-
start
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
-
stately
impressive in appearance
-
static
not in physical motion
-
statute
an act passed by a legislative body
-
statutory
relating to or created by statutes
-
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
stealth
avoiding detection by moving carefully
-
steep
having a sharp inclination
-
stellar
being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
-
stem
cylinder forming a long narrow part of something
-
stench
a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant
-
stentorian
used of the voice
-
stereotype
a conventional or formulaic conception or image
-
sterile
incapable of reproducing
-
stickler
someone who insists on something
-
stifle
impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
-
stigma
a symbol of disgrace or infamy
-
stilted
artificially formal
-
stink
smell badly and offensively
-
stint
supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
-
stipend
a sum of money allotted on a regular basis; usually for some specific purpose
-
stipple
engrave by means of dots and flicks
-
stipulate
specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
-
stock
a supply of something available for future use
-
stockade
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
-
stodgy
excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull
-
stoic
seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
-
stoke
stir up or tend; of a fire
-
stolid
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
stoop
bend one's back forward from the waist on down
-
stout
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
-
straggle
wander from a direct or straight course
-
strangle
kill by squeezing the throat of so as to cut off the air
-
stratagem
an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade
-
stratified
deposited or arranged in horizontal layers
-
stratum
one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)
-
strew
spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
-
striate
marked with stria or striations
-
stricture
severe criticism
-
strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
strut
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
-
stud farm
a farm where horses are bred
-
studied
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
-
studious
characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading
-
stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
-
stumble
miss a step and fall or nearly fall
-
stump
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
-
stun
hit something or somebody as if with a sandbag
-
stupefy
make dull or stupid or muddle with drunkenness or infatuation
-
stupor
marginal consciousness
-
sturdy
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
-
Stygian
dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades
-
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
-
suavity
the quality of being bland and gracious or ingratiating in manner
-
subaltern
a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain
-
subdue
put down by force or intimidation
-
subjective
taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias
-
subjugate
make subservient; force to submit or subdue
-
sublimate
change or cause to change directly from a solid into a vapor without first melting
-
sublime
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
subliminal
below the threshold of conscious perception
-
submerge
put under water
-
submissive
inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination
-
subordinate
an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
-
suborn
incite to commit a crime or an evil deed
-
subpoena
a writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court
-
subsequent
following in time or order
-
subservient
compliant and obedient to authority
-
subside
sink to a lower level or form a depression
-
subsidiary
functioning in a supporting capacity
-
subsidy
a grant paid by a government to an enterprise that benefits the public
-
subsistence
the state of existing in reality; having substance
-
substantial
having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary
-
substantiate
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
-
substantive
having a firm basis in reality and being therefore important, meaningful, or considerable
-
subsume
contain or include
-
subterfuge
something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
-
subtlety
the quality of being difficult to detect or analyze
-
subversive
in opposition to a civil authority or government
-
succor
assistance in time of difficulty
-
succulent
full of juice
-
succumb
consent reluctantly
-
suckle
suck milk from the mother's breasts
-
suffocate
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
-
suffragist
an advocate of the extension of voting rights (especially to women)
-
suffuse
cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
-
suitor
a man who courts a woman
-
sullen
showing a brooding ill humor
-
sully
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
-
sultry
sexually exciting or gratifying
-
summation
the arithmetic operation of summing; calculating the sum of two or more numbers
-
sumptuous
rich and superior in quality
-
sunder
break apart or in two, using violence
-
sundry
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
-
superannuated
too old to be useful
-
supercilious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
supererogatory
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
superficial
of, affecting, or being on or near the surface
-
superfluous
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
superimpose
place on top of
-
supernumerary
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
supine
lying face upward
-
supplant
take the place or move into the position of
-
supple
moving and bending with ease
-
suppliant
humbly entreating
-
supplicant
someone who prays to God
-
supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
-
supposition
the cognitive process of supposing
-
supposititious
based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence
-
suppress
to put down by force or authority
-
surfeit
indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
-
surge
rise and move, as in waves or billows
-
surly
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
-
surmise
infer from incomplete evidence
-
surmount
get on top of; deal with successfully
-
surpass
be or do something to a greater degree
-
surreptitious
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
-
surrogate
someone who takes the place of another person
-
surveillance
close observation of a person or group (usually by the police)
-
susceptible
(often followed by `of' or `to') yielding readily to or capable of
-
suspend
bar temporarily; from school, office, etc.
-
suspense
an uncertain cognitive state
-
sustain
lengthen or extend in duration or space
-
sustenance
the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence
-
suture
a seam used in surgery
-
swagger
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
-
swamp
low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog
-
swarm
a group of many things in the air or on the ground
-
swarthy
naturally having skin of a dark color
-
swathe
wrap in swaddling clothes
-
sway
move back and forth or sideways
-
swear
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
swearword
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
-
swell
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
-
swelter
be uncomfortably hot
-
swerve
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
-
swill
drink large quantities of (liquid, especially alcoholic drink)
-
swindler
a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud
-
swipe
a sweeping stroke or blow
-
sybarite
a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses
-
sycophant
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
-
syllogism
deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
-
sylvan
relating to or characteristic of wooded regions
-
symbiosis
the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
-
symmetry
balance among the parts of something
-
synchronous
occurring or existing at the same time or having the same period or phase
-
synoptic
presenting a summary or general view of a whole
-
synthesis
the combination of ideas into a complex whole
-
synthetic
a compound made artificially by chemical reactions
-
tablet
a small flat compressed cake of some substance
-
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
-
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
-
tact
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
-
tactful
having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others
-
tactile
of or relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch
-
taint
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
-
takeoff
a departure; especially of airplanes
-
talisman
a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
-
talon
a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
-
tan
a light brown the color of topaz
-
tangential
of superficial relevance if any
-
tangible
perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch
-
tanner
a craftsman who tans skins and hides
-
tantalize
harass with persistent criticism or carping
-
tantamount
being essentially equal to something
-
tantrum
a display of bad temper
-
taper
diminish gradually
-
tarantula
large southern European spider once thought to be the cause of tarantism (uncontrollable bodily movement)
-
tardy
after the expected or usual time; delayed
-
tarnish
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
-
tarry
leave slowly and hesitantly
-
tart
tasting sour like a lemon
-
tatter
a small piece of cloth or paper
-
taunt
harass with persistent criticism or carping
-
taut
pulled or drawn tight
-
tautological
repetition of same sense in different words
-
tawdry
tastelessly showy
-
tawny
of a light brown to brownish orange color; the color of tanned leather
-
taxonomist
a biologist who specializes in the classification of organisms into groups on the basis of their structure and origin and behavior
-
tedium
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
-
teetotalism
abstaining from alcohol
-
temerity
fearless daring
-
temper
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
-
temperament
your usual mood
-
temperate
not extreme
-
tempestuous
characterized by violent emotions or behavior
-
tempo
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
-
temporal
of or relating to or limited by time
-
temporize
draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
-
tenacious
stubbornly unyielding
-
tenacity
persistent determination
-
tenancy
an act of being a tenant or occupant
-
tenant
someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
-
tend
have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
-
tendentious
having or marked by a strong tendency especially a controversial one
-
tender
easy to cut or chew
-
tenet
a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
-
tensile
of or relating to tension
-
tension
the action of stretching something tight
-
tentative
unsettled in mind or opinion
-
tenuous
very thin in gauge or diameter
-
tenure
the term during which some position is held
-
tepid
moderately warm
-
terminal
occurring at or forming an end or termination
-
termination
the act of ending something
-
terminology
a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline
-
terminus
a place where something ends or is complete
-
terrestrial
of or relating to or characteristic of the planet Earth or its inhabitants
-
terse
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
tertiary
coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position
-
tessellated
decorated with small pieces of colored glass or stone fitted together in a mosaic
-
testator
a person who makes a will
-
testy
easily irritated or annoyed
-
tether
tie with a tether
-
thematic
relating to or constituting a topic of discourse
-
theocracy
a political unit governed by a deity (or by officials thought to be divinely guided)
-
theoretical
concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations
-
therapeutic
tending to cure or restore to health
-
thermal
relating to or associated with heat
-
thesis
an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
-
thespian
a theatrical performer
-
thrall
the state of being under the control of another person
-
thrash
give a thrashing to; beat hard
-
threadbare
having the nap worn away so that the threads show through
-
threat
declaration of an intention or a determination to inflict harm on another
-
thresh
beat the seeds out of a grain
-
thrifty
mindful of the future in spending money
-
thrive
make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance
-
throb
pulsate or pound with abnormal force
-
throes
violent pangs of suffering
-
throng
a large gathering of people
-
throttle
a valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine
-
thwart
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
tickle
touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
-
tightwad
a miserly person
-
tiller
someone who tills land (prepares the soil for the planting of crops)
-
timbre
(music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound)
-
timidity
fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions
-
timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity
-
tinge
color lightly
-
tint
a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color
-
tipple
drink moderately but regularly
-
tirade
a speech of violent denunciation
-
titanic
of great force or power
-
tithe
a levy of one tenth of something
-
titillate
excite pleasurably or erotically
-
title
the name of a work of art or literary composition etc.
-
titter
laugh nervously
-
titular
existing in name only
-
toady
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
-
toga
a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient Rome
-
token
a metal or plastic disk that can be redeemed or used in designated slot machines
-
toll
a fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)
-
tome
a (usually) large and scholarly book
-
tonsure
shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order
-
topography
the configuration of a surface and the relations among its man-made and natural features
-
topple
fall down, as if collapsing
-
torpedo
armament consisting of a long cylindrical self-propelled underwater projectile that detonates on contact with a target
-
torpor
a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility
-
torque
a twisting force
-
torrent
an overwhelming number or amount
-
torrid
characterized by intense emotion
-
torso
the body excluding the head and neck and limbs
-
tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends
-
toss
throw or toss with a light motion
-
totem
emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant; serves as the symbol of a family or clan (especially among American Indians)
-
totter
move without being stable, as if threatening to fall
-
touching
arousing affect
-
touchstone
a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
-
touchy
difficult to handle; requiring great tact
-
tout
advertize in strongly positive terms
-
toxic
of or relating to or caused by a toxin or poison
-
tract
an extended area of land
-
tractable
easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
-
traduce
speak unfavorably about
-
trajectory
the path followed by an object moving through space
-
tramp
travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
-
trample
tread or stomp heavily or roughly
-
trance
a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
-
tranquillity
an untroubled state; free from disturbances
-
transcendent
exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence
-
transcendental
existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
-
transcribe
write out from speech, notes, etc.
-
transgression
the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
-
transient
lasting a very short time
-
transition
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
-
transitory
lasting a very short time
-
translucent
allowing light to pass through diffusely
-
transmute
change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
-
transparent
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
-
transpire
come about, happen, or occur
-
transport
move something or somebody around; usually over long distances
-
transpose
change the order or arrangement of
-
trappings
(usually plural) accessory wearing apparel
-
traumatic
psychologically painful;"few experiences are more traumatic than losing a child";
-
travail
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
-
traverse
travel across
-
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
tread
put down or press the foot, place the foot
-
treasure
any possession that is highly valued by its owner
-
treatise
a formal exposition
-
trek
any long and difficult trip
-
tremor
an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
-
tremulous
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
-
trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
-
trepidation
a feeling of alarm or dread
-
tribulation
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
-
tribunal
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
-
tribune
(ancient Rome) an official elected by the plebeians to protect their interests
-
tribute
something given or done as an expression of esteem
-
trickle
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
-
trickster
someone who plays practical jokes on others
-
trident
a spear with three prongs
-
trifle
a detail that is considered insignificant
-
trifling
not worth considering
-
trigger
lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun
-
trilogy
a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject or theme
-
trim
cut down on; make a reduction in
-
trinket
cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
-
trite
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
trivia
something of small importance
-
troth
a solemn pledge of fidelity
-
trough
a long narrow shallow receptacle
-
truculence
obstreperous and defiant aggressiveness
-
truism
an obvious truth
-
truncate
make shorter as if by cutting off
-
trunk
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
-
tryst
a secret rendezvous (especially between lovers)
-
tumid
of sexual organs; stiff and rigid
-
tumult
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
-
tundra
a vast treeless plain in the Arctic regions where the subsoil is permanently frozen
-
turbid
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
-
turbulence
instability in the atmosphere
-
tureen
large deep serving dish with a cover; for serving soups and stews
-
turgid
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
turmoil
a violent disturbance
-
turncoat
a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.
-
turpitude
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
-
tutelage
attention and management implying responsibility for safety
-
tutelary
providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding
-
tycoon
a very wealthy or powerful businessman
-
typhoon
a tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific or Indian oceans
-
tyranny
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
-
tyro
someone new to a field or activity
-
ubiquitous
being present everywhere at once
-
ulcer
a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue
-
ulterior
lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)
-
ultimate
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
-
ultimatum
a final peremptory demand
-
umbrage
a feeling of anger caused by being offended
-
unaccountable
not to be accounted for or explained
-
unanimity
everyone being of one mind
-
unassailable
impossible to assail
-
unassuming
not arrogant or presuming
-
unassured
lacking boldness or confidence
-
unbridled
not restrained or controlled
-
uncanny
surpassing the ordinary or normal
-
unceremonious
without ceremony or formality
-
unconscionable
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
uncouth
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
-
unction
anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
-
unctuous
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
-
underhand
marked by deception
-
underhanded
marked by deception
-
underlying
being or involving basic facts or principles
-
undermine
destroy property or hinder normal operations
-
underscore
give extra weight to (a communication)
-
understate
represent as less significant or important
-
undertaker
one whose business is the management of funerals
-
undulate
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
-
unearth
recover through digging
-
unearthly
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
-
unequivocal
admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpretation and leading to only one conclusion
-
unerringly
without making errors
-
unexceptionable
completely acceptable; not open to exception or reproach
-
unfaltering
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
unfeigned
not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
-
unfettered
not bound by shackles and chains
-
unfledged
young and inexperienced
-
unfrock
divest of the frock; of church officials
-
ungainly
lacking grace in movement or posture
-
unguent
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
-
uniformity
the quality of lacking diversity or variation (even to the point of boredom)
-
unilateral
involving only one part or side
-
unimpeachable
beyond doubt or reproach
-
uninhibited
not inhibited or restrained
-
unique
the single one of its kind
-
unison
corresponding exactly
-
universal
applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
-
unkempt
not properly maintained or cared for
-
unmitigated
not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity; sometimes used as an intensifier
-
unobtrusive
not obtrusive or undesirably noticeable
-
unprecedented
having no precedent; novel
-
unprepossessing
creating an unfavorable or neutral first impression
-
unravel
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
-
unregenerate
not reformed morally or spiritually
-
unrequited
not returned in kind
-
unruly
of persons
-
unsavory
morally offensive
-
unscathed
not injured
-
unseemly
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
-
unsightly
unpleasant to look at
-
unsullied
(of reputation) free from blemishes
-
untenable
(of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
-
untoward
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
-
unwarranted
incapable of being justified or explained
-
unwieldy
difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape
-
unwitting
not aware or knowing
-
unwonted
out of the ordinary
-
upbraid
express criticism towards
-
upright
in a vertical position; not sloping
-
uproar
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
-
uproarious
uncontrollably noisy
-
upshot
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
-
urbane
showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
-
urchin
poor and often mischievous city child
-
urge
force or impel in an indicated direction
-
urgent
compelling immediate action
-
ursine
of or relating to or similar to bears
-
usage
the act of using
-
usurp
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
-
usury
the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
-
utopia
ideally perfect state; especially in its social and political and moral aspects
-
uxorious
foolishly fond of or submissive to your wife
-
vacillate
be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
-
vacuous
devoid of matter
-
vagabond
a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
-
vagary
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
-
vagrant
a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
-
vain
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
-
vainglorious
feeling self-importance
-
valediction
a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)
-
valedictory
a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)
-
valid
well grounded in logic or truth or having legal force
-
validate
make valid or confirm the validity of
-
valor
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
-
vampire
(folklore) a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living
-
vanguard
the leading units moving at the head of an army
-
vantage
place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
-
vapid
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
-
vaporize
turn into gas
-
variegate
make something more diverse and varied
-
variegated
having a variety of colors
-
varnish
a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface
-
vassal
a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
-
vaunt
show off
-
veer
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
-
vegetate
produce vegetation
-
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
-
velocity
distance travelled per unit time
-
venal
capable of being corrupted
-
vendetta
a feud in which members of the opposing parties murder each other
-
vendor
someone who promotes or exchanges goods or services for money
-
veneer
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
-
venerable
profoundly honored
-
venerate
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
-
venial
warranting only temporal punishment
-
venison
meat from a deer used as food
-
venom
toxin secreted by animals; secreted by certain snakes and poisonous insects (e.g., spiders and scorpions)
-
vent
a hole for the escape of gas or air
-
ventilate
furnish with an opening to allow air to circulate or gas to escape
-
ventral
toward or on or near the belly (front of a primate or lower surface of a lower animal)
-
ventriloquist
a performer who projects the voice into a wooden dummy
-
venture
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
-
venturesome
disposed to venture or take risks
-
venue
the scene of any event or action (especially the place of a meeting)
-
veracious
habitually speaking the truth
-
veracity
unwillingness to tell lies
-
verbalize
express in speech
-
verbatim
using exactly the same words
-
verbiage
overabundance of words
-
verbose
using or containing too many words
-
verdant
characterized by abundance of verdure
-
verdigris
a green patina that forms on copper or brass or bronze that has been exposed to the air or water for long periods of time
-
verge
the limit beyond which something happens or changes
-
verisimilar
appearing to be true or real
-
verisimilitude
the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true
-
veritable
not counterfeit or copied
-
verity
conformity to reality or actuality
-
vernacular
the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language)
-
vernal
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
-
versatile
having great diversity or variety
-
vertebrate
animals having a bony or cartilaginous skeleton with a segmented spinal column and a large brain enclosed in a skull or cranium
-
vertex
the highest point (of something)
-
vertigo
a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
-
verve
an energetic style
-
vestige
an indication that something has been present
-
veto
a vote that blocks a decision
-
vex
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
-
viable
capable of life or normal growth and development
-
viand
a choice or delicious dish
-
vibrant
vigorous and animated
-
vicar
a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman
-
vicarious
experienced at secondhand
-
vicissitude
a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something
-
victuals
a source of materials to nourish the body
-
vie
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
-
vigil
a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
-
vigilant
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
-
vigilante
member of a vigilance committee
-
vignette
a brief literary description
-
vigor
forceful exertion
-
vile
morally reprehensible
-
vilify
spread negative information about
-
vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
-
vindictive
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
-
vintner
someone who sells wine
-
violate
fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
-
viper
venomous Old World snakes characterized by hollow venom-conducting fangs in the upper jaw
-
virile
characterized by energy and vigor
-
virtual
being actually such in almost every respect
-
virtue
the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
-
virtuoso
someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
-
virulent
extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
-
virus
(virology) ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein
-
visage
the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
-
visceral
relating to or affecting the viscera
-
viscid
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
-
viscous
having a relatively high resistance to flow
-
vise
a holding device attached to a workbench; has two jaws to hold workpiece firmly in place
-
vision
the ability to see; the visual faculty
-
visionary
a person with unusual powers of foresight
-
vital
performing an essential function in the living body
-
vitiate
make imperfect
-
vitreous
relating to or resembling or derived from or containing glass
-
vitriolic
harsh or corrosive in tone
-
vituperative
marked by harshly abusive criticism
-
vivacious
vigorous and animated
-
vivid
having striking color
-
vivisection
the act of operating on living animals (especially in scientific research)
-
vixen
a female fox
-
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
vogue
a current state of general acceptance and use
-
volatile
a volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor
-
volition
the act of making a choice
-
volley
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
-
voluble
marked by a ready flow of speech
-
voluminous
large in volume or bulk
-
voluptuous
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
-
voodoo
(Haiti) followers of a religion that involves witchcraft and animistic deities
-
voracious
devouring or craving food in great quantities
-
vortex
a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)
-
vouch
give personal assurance; guarantee
-
vouchsafe
grant in a condescending manner
-
voyeur
a viewer who enjoys seeing the sex acts or sex organs of others
-
vulgar
of or associated with the great masses of people
-
vulnerable
capable of being wounded or hurt
-
vulpine
resembling or characteristic of a fox
-
vulture
any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion
-
wade
walk (through relatively shallow water)
-
waffle
pancake batter baked in a waffle iron
-
waft
a long flag; often tapering
-
wag
causing to move repeatedly from side to side
-
wage
something that remunerates
-
waggish
witty or joking
-
waif
a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
-
waive
do without or cease to hold or adhere to
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wake
the wave that spreads behind a boat as it moves forward
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wallow
a puddle where animals go to wallow
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wan
become pale and sickly
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wanderlust
very strong or irresistible impulse to travel
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wane
a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
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wangle
an instance of accomplishing something by scheming or trickery
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wanton
lewd or lascivious woman
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warble
sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below
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ward
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
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warp
a shape distorted by twisting or folding
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warrant
formal and explicit approval
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warranted
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warranty
a written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
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warren
a colony of rabbits
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wary
marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
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wastrel
someone who dissipates resources self-indulgently
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waver
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
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wax
any of various substances of either mineral origin or plant or animal origin; they are solid at normal temperatures and insoluble in water
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waylay
wait in hiding to attack
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wean
gradually deprive (infants and young mammals) of mother's milk
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weary
physically and mentally fatigued
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weather
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
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weird
strikingly odd or unusual
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well-bred
of good upbringing
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welt
a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
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welter
a confused multitude of things
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wheedle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
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whelp
young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
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whet
sharpen by rubbing, as on a whetstone
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whiff
a short light gust of air
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whim
an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
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whimsical
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
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whimsy
an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
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whine
a complaint uttered in a plaintive whining way
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whinny
the characteristic sounds made by a horse
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whit
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
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whittle
cut small bits or pare shavings from
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wholesome
conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being
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whorl
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
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wiggle
move to and fro
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willful
done by design
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willowy
slender and graceful
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wilt
any plant disease characterized by drooping and shriveling; usually caused by parasites attacking the roots
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wily
marked by skill in deception
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wince
a reflex response to sudden pain
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windfall
a sudden happening that brings good fortune (as a sudden opportunity to make money)
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winnow
the act of separating grain from chaff
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winsome
charming in a childlike or naive way
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wisp
a small tuft or lock
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wispy
thin and weak
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wistful
showing pensive sadness
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withdrawn
tending to reserve or introspection
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wither
lose freshness, vigor, or vitality
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withhold
hold back; refuse to hand over or share
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withstand
resist or confront with resistance
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witless
(of especially persons) lacking sense or understanding or judgment
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witticism
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
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wizardry
exceptional creative ability
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wizened
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
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woe
misery resulting from affliction
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woeful
affected by or full of grief or woe
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wont
an established custom
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worldly
characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
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wrangle
an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
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wrath
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
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wreak
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
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wrench
a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments
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wrest
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
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wretch
someone you feel sorry for
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wring
a twisting squeeze
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wrinkle
a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface
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writ
(law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
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writhe
to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
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wrongheaded
obstinately perverse in judgment or opinion
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wry
humorously sarcastic or mocking
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xenophobia
a fear of foreigners or strangers
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yen
the basic unit of money in Japan; equal to 100 sen
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yeoman
in former times was free and cultivated his own land
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yield
give or supply
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yoke
support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end
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yokel
a person who is not very intelligent or interested in culture
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yore
time long past
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zany
a buffoon in one of the old comedies; imitates others for ludicrous effect
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zeal
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
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zealot
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
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zenith
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
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zephyr
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
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zest
a tart spicy quality