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English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

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cab
noun
A taxi.
cabal
noun
A small group secretly plotting together, especially in politics.
caballero
noun
A Spanish or Latin American gentleman or horseman.
cabana
noun
A small shelter or hut, especially at a beach or pool.
cabaret
noun
Live entertainment performed in a restaurant or club, typically featuring music, song, and dance.
cabbage
noun
A leafy vegetable grown as a round, tightly packed head, eaten cooked or raw.
cabbie
noun
Informal term for a taxi driver.
Cabe
name
A surname, a reduced form of McCabe.
cabernet
noun
Short for Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety of red wine grape and the full-bodied red wine made from it.
cabeza
noun
In Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking, meat from the head of a cow, especially the cheek, often slow-cooked for tacos.
cabin
noun
A small, simply built house, especially one made of logs in a rural or wooded area.
cabinet
noun
A piece of furniture with doors or drawers used for storage or display.
cable
noun
A thick, strong rope or bundle of wires used to pull, support, or carry electricity or signals.
cabled
adj
Fitted with, or made using, cables.
caboodle
noun
(informal) An entire group or collection of things, usually in the phrase "the whole kit and caboodle."
caboose
noun
The last car on a freight train, once used as sleeping and cooking quarters for the crew.
Cabot
name
A French surname, notably borne by explorer John Cabot, and a town in Vermont.
Cabrera
name
A Spanish surname, and the name of towns in Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
Cabron
noun
(vulgar, slang, from Spanish) An insulting term for a man; roughly "bastard" or "jerk."
Cabs
name
A nickname for Cabaret Voltaire, an English music group formed in Sheffield in 1973.
Caca
noun
(informal, often childish) Feces; poop.
cache
noun
A hidden store of items kept for future use.
cackle
noun
A harsh, broken sound like a hen's cry, or a laugh that sounds similar.
cackling
noun
The act or sound of cackling; a series of harsh, broken cries or laughs.
cacophony
noun
A harsh mixture of loud, clashing sounds.
cactus
noun
A spiny, fleshy-stemmed plant, usually leafless, adapted to hot, dry desert climates.
cad
noun
(dated) A man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward women.
cadaver
noun
A dead human body, especially one used for medical study or dissection.
caddie
noun
A person hired to carry a golfer's clubs and offer advice during a round.
caddy
noun
A small box or container used to hold and organize items, such as tea, cutlery, or cleaning supplies.
Cade
noun
(chiefly British, of livestock) An orphaned young animal raised by hand.
cadence
noun
A rhythmic flow or beat, especially in speech, music, or movement.
cadet
noun
A student training to become a military or police officer.
Cadillac
name
A brand of luxury automobile, a marque of General Motors since 1909.
Cadiz
name
A historic port city in Andalusia, Spain, also the name of several places in the Philippines and the United States.
Cadmus
name
A Phoenician prince in Greek mythology, credited with founding Thebes and introducing the alphabet to Greece.
cadre
noun
A small, tightly organized group of trained people who form the core of a larger organization or movement.
Cady
name
A surname, and a town in Wisconsin named after early settler Jacob Cady.
Caesar
name
An ancient Roman family name, most famously borne by Julius Caesar, and later used as a title for Roman and other emperors.
Caesarean
noun
Short for "Caesarean section," a surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen.
caf
noun
A café; an informal spot for coffee and a light meal.
cafeteria
noun
A self-service restaurant or dining hall where people select food at a counter and carry it to a table.
Caffee
name
A surname.
caffeine
noun
A natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and cacao that increases alertness and reduces tiredness.
Cafferty
name
An Irish surname, a reduced form of McCafferty.
Caffrey
name
An Irish surname, a reduced form of McCaffrey.
cag
noun
A small barrel or keg.
cage
noun
A structure of bars or mesh used to enclose and contain an animal or person.
caged
adj
Kept confined inside a cage.
cagey
adj
Careful and guarded about what you say or reveal; reluctant to share information.
Cagney
name
An Irish surname, notably borne by actor James Cagney.
Cahill
name
An Irish surname.
Cai
name
A Chinese surname.
Caiaphas
name
A Jewish high priest in the first century CE, described in the New Testament as involved in the trial of Jesus.
caiman
noun
A crocodile-like reptile found in Central and South America, related to alligators.
Cain
name
In the Bible, the son of Adam and Eve who killed his brother Abel; also used as a male given name and surname.
Caine
name
A surname, notably borne by actor Michael Caine.
cairn
noun
A pile of stones stacked up as a marker, memorial, or landmark.
Cairns
name
A Scottish or Irish surname, and a city in Queensland, Australia named after Governor William Cairns.
Cairo
name
The capital and largest city of Egypt.
Cait
name
A short form of the female given names Caitlin or Caitlyn.
Caitlin
name
A feminine given name of Irish origin, equivalent to Catherine.
Caitlyn
name
A feminine given name, a modern spelling variant of Caitlin.
Cajun
noun
A member of the French-speaking community in Louisiana descended from Acadian settlers.
cake
noun
A sweet baked dessert made from flour, sugar, eggs, and other ingredients.
caked
adj
Covered with a thick, hardened layer of something.
cakewalk
noun
Something that is very easy to do, requiring little effort.
cal
noun
Slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), used in building and farming.
Calabria
name
A region forming the "toe" of Italy's boot-shaped peninsula.
Calais
name
A port city in northern France, on the English Channel, close to England.
calamari
noun
Squid served as food, often cut into rings and fried.
calamity
noun
A serious event that causes great damage, suffering, or loss.
calcium
noun
A soft, silvery-white chemical element (symbol Ca) essential for healthy bones and teeth.
calculate
verb
To work out a number, amount, or answer using mathematics.
calculated
adj
Worked out precisely through calculation.
calculating
adj
Coldly scheming and focused on personal advantage.
calculation
noun
The process of working out a number or amount using mathematics.
calculator
noun
A device, often electronic, used to perform mathematical calculations.
calculus
noun
A branch of mathematics dealing with rates of change and the accumulation of quantities.
Calcutta
noun
A betting pool in which participants bid to "own" a competitor or team in an event, then split the winnings if their pick does well.
Calder
name
A surname, and the name of several rivers in England and Scotland.
Calderon
name
A Spanish surname, an anglicized form of Calderón.
Calderone
name
An Italian surname.
Caldwell
name
An English habitational surname, and the name of several towns in the United States, meaning "cold spring."
cale
noun
Any of several marine fish in the family Odacidae, found mainly off Australia and New Zealand.
Caleb
name
A male given name of Hebrew origin, borne in the Bible by an Israelite who accompanied Joshua into Canaan.
Caledonia
name
The Latin and poetic name for Scotland, also used for various places in Canada and the United States.
calendar
noun
A system for dividing time into days, months, and years.
calf
noun
A young cow, bull, or the young of certain other large animals such as elephants or whales.
Calgary
name
The largest city in Alberta, Canada, named after a village on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
Cali
name
An informal nickname for California, also a major city in western Colombia.
caliber
noun
The internal diameter of a gun barrel, or the diameter of a bullet.
calibrate
verb
To adjust an instrument or measurement so it matches a known, accurate standard.
calibrated
adj
Adjusted precisely to a known standard; carefully measured or tuned.
calibration
noun
The process of adjusting an instrument or measurement to match a known standard.
calico
noun
A plain, inexpensive cotton fabric, often printed with a simple pattern.
Caliente
name
A place name meaning "hot" in Spanish, borne by towns in California and Nevada.
California
name
The most populous U.S. state, on the Pacific coast, whose capital is Sacramento.
Californian
adj
Coming from, belonging to, or typical of the U.S. state of California.
Caligula
name
The nickname of Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, the third Roman emperor, who reigned from 37 to 41 CE.
caliph
noun
A Muslim ruler regarded as a political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
caliphate
noun
A state or territory ruled by a caliph, or the system of government under a caliph.
Calista
name
A feminine given name derived from Latin, meaning "most beautiful."
calisthenics
noun
Exercises that use the body's own weight for resistance, such as push-ups, squats, and sit-ups.
call
verb
To contact someone by phone, or to cry out or shout to get attention.
calla
noun
A plant with a distinctive trumpet-shaped white or colored bloom, commonly called a calla lily.
Callaghan
name
An Irish surname and male given name.
Callahan
name
An Irish surname and male given name.
Callaway
name
A surname, notably associated with the golf equipment brand.
callback
noun
A return phone call, especially one made to confirm or follow up.
called
adj
Named or referred to in a particular way.
Callen
name
An Irish surname and male given name, a variant of Callan.
caller
noun
A person who is making or has made a phone call.
Callie
name
A feminine given name, a 19th-century diminutive of Caroline.
calligraphy
noun
The art of decorative, stylized handwriting; also, writing produced in this style.
calling
noun
A strong inner urge to pursue a particular career or way of life.
calliope
noun
A musical instrument made of steam whistles played from a keyboard, traditionally heard at fairgrounds and on riverboats.
Callisto
name
A nymph of Artemis in Greek mythology, also the name of one of Jupiter's largest moons.
callous
adj
Showing no concern for the feelings or suffering of others.
Calloway
name
A surname, a variant of Callaway, notably borne by musician Cab Calloway.
Callum
name
A male given name and surname of Scottish Gaelic origin.
Cally
name
A feminine given name, a variant of Callie.
calm
adj
Free from anxiety, agitation, or strong emotion; peaceful.
calmed
adj
Made peaceful or settled after being upset or agitated.
calmer
adj
More calm; comparative form of "calm."
calming
adjective
Having a soothing effect; reducing stress or agitation.
calmly
adverb
In a relaxed, controlled way, without panic or anger.
calmness
noun
The quality of being calm; a settled, untroubled state.
Calogero
name
An Italian surname.
calorie
noun
A unit of food energy (technically a kilocalorie) used on nutrition labels to measure how much energy a food provides.
Calum
name
A male given name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning "dove."
Calvary
noun
The hill just outside Jerusalem where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified.
Calvert
name
An English surname, originally an occupational name for a calf-herder.
Calvin
name
A male given name, notably borne by the French Protestant reformer John Calvin.
calypso
noun
A style of upbeat, rhythmic music that originated in Trinidad and spread through the Caribbean.
calzone
noun
A baked, folded-over pizza turnover filled with cheese, tomato sauce, and other toppings.
cam
noun
A rotating or sliding mechanical part shaped to convert its motion into movement of a connected rod or lever.
camaraderie
noun
A feeling of trust and friendship among people who share an experience, such as teammates or colleagues.
Cambodia
name
A country in Southeast Asia whose capital is Phnom Penh.
Cambodian
adjective
Relating to Cambodia, its people, or the Khmer language.
camcorder
noun
A portable device that combines a video camera and a recorder to capture moving images and sound.
Camden
name
An English surname and place name, borne by Camden Town in London and several cities in the United States.
came
verb
Past tense of "come" — used to describe something arriving or happening in the past.
camel
noun
A large, humped mammal adapted to desert life, used for transport and as a beast of burden.
camellia
noun
A flowering shrub or small tree native to Asia, including the species that produces tea leaves.
Camelot
name
The legendary castle and court of King Arthur.
camembert
noun
A soft, creamy French cheese made from cow's milk, with a bloomy white rind.
cameo
noun
A brief appearance by a well-known performer in a film, show, or song, often playing a minor role or themselves.
camera
noun
A device used to take photographs or record video.
cameraman
noun
A person who operates a film or television camera as their job.
Cameron
name
A Scottish surname, later used widely as a unisex given name.
Cameroon
name
A country in Central Africa whose capital is Yaoundé.
cami
noun
A short, informal word for a camisole — a sleeveless, lightweight top or undergarment.
Camilla
name
A female given name of Latin origin.
Camille
name
A unisex given name of French origin.
camino
noun
A long-distance pilgrimage route across Spain, especially the route to Santiago de Compostela.
Cammie
name
A unisex given name, a diminutive of Camilla or Cameron.
camo
verb
To camouflage something, or to dress in camouflage clothing.
Camorra
name
A secretive organized-crime network based in Naples, Italy, comparable to the Sicilian Mafia.
camouflage
noun
A disguise or covering used to blend into surroundings and avoid being noticed.
camouflaged
adjective
Disguised or hidden by camouflage.
camp
noun
A place with tents, cabins, or temporary shelters where people stay, especially outdoors.
campaign
noun
An organized series of actions carried out to achieve a particular goal, such as in politics, marketing, or the military.
campanella
noun
A small hand bell or hanging bell, of the kind traditionally rung in a monastery or convent.
Campari
noun
An Italian bitter-tasting red aperitif, often mixed with soda water or orange juice.
Campbell
noun
A breed of domestic duck bred for heavy egg-laying, developed in England around 1900.
camper
noun
Someone staying outdoors overnight, typically in a tent.
campfire
noun
An outdoor fire built at a campsite for cooking, warmth, light, and gathering around.
campground
noun
A designated outdoor area set up for pitching tents or parking camper vehicles.
camphor
noun
A white, waxy, strong-smelling crystalline compound used in medicine, insect repellents, and traditional remedies.
camping
noun
The activity of sleeping outdoors, usually in a tent, for recreation.
campion
noun
A wildflower of the pink family, such as rose campion or bladder campion, with genera including Lychnis and Silene.
campo
noun
An open field or plain, especially in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking regions.
Camps
name
A surname.
campsite
noun
A specific spot where a tent can be pitched for the night.
camptown
noun
A South Korean town whose economy depends heavily on a nearby US military base.
campus
noun
The grounds and buildings of a school, college, or university.
Camus
noun
A surname, most famously that of the French novelist and philosopher Albert Camus.
can
verb
To be able to do something, or to know how to do it.
Cana
noun
The biblical village where, according to the Gospel of John, Jesus turned water into wine.
Canaan
noun
An ancient region of the Middle East roughly covering modern Israel and Palestine, referred to often in the Bible.
Canada
noun
A country in North America, with Ottawa as its capital and Toronto as its largest city.
Canadian
adj
Relating to Canada, its people, or its culture.
canal
noun
A man-made waterway built for boats, irrigation, or drainage.
Canaries
noun
Plural of canary; also used as a short name for the Canary Islands.
canary
noun
A small yellow finch popular as a caged songbird.
canasta
noun
A card game related to rummy, played with two decks, where players form sets called melds.
Canberra
noun
The capital city of Australia, located in the Australian Capital Territory.
cancan
noun
A lively, high-kicking chorus-line dance that originated in 19th-century France.
cancel
verb
To call off or stop something planned from happening.
cancellation
noun
The act of calling something off or making it void.
cancelled
adj
No longer going ahead as planned.
cancer
noun
A disease in which abnormal cells grow and divide uncontrollably, often forming tumours.
cancerous
adj
Affected by or related to cancer.
Candace
noun
A female given name of Greek origin.
Candi
noun
A shortened, informal form of the name Candace.
Candice
noun
A female given name, a variant of Candace.
candid
adj
Honest and direct, even when the truth might be uncomfortable.
candidacy
noun
The state or period of being a candidate for a position.
candidate
noun
A person seeking to be elected or appointed to a position.
candidly
adv
In an honest, straightforward manner.
candied
adj
Coated or preserved in sugar.
candle
noun
A stick of wax with a wick that burns to give light.
candlelight
noun
The soft light given off by a burning candle.
candlestick
noun
A holder designed to keep a candle upright.
candor
noun
The quality of being honest and straightforward in what you say, even when the truth is uncomfortable.
candy
noun
Sweet confectionery made mainly from sugar, often flavored with chocolate, fruit, or nuts.
candyman
noun
A man who sells candy or sweets, especially from a small shop or stall.
cane
noun
The tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane.
canes
noun
Plural of cane; often used specifically for a genus of temperate bamboo native to the Americas.
canine
adj
Relating to or resembling dogs.
canister
noun
A small container, typically metal or plastic, used to store dry goods like tea, flour, or film.
canker
noun
A disease that causes decay in plants, or the damaged area it leaves behind.
Cann
name
An English or Irish surname, and a small village in Dorset, England.
cannabis
noun
The hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug.
Cannae
name
A village in southeastern Italy, famous as the site of Hannibal's decisive victory over Rome in 216 BC.
canned
adj
Sealed and preserved in a can.
cannery
noun
A factory where food is preserved and sealed in cans.
Cannes
name
A city on the French Riviera, famous for its international film festival.
cannibalism
noun
The practice of eating the flesh of one's own species.
canning
noun
The process of preserving food by sealing it in airtight cans or jars and heating it.
cannoli
noun
A Sicilian pastry consisting of a fried tube shell filled with sweetened ricotta or a similar cream.
cannon
noun
A large, mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles, historically used in warfare.
cannonball
noun
A round metal projectile fired from a cannon.
cannot
verb
Unable to; not able to.
canny
adj
Shrewd and clever, especially in practical or business matters.
canoe
noun
A narrow boat, pointed at both ends, propelled with single-bladed paddles.
canoeing
noun
The activity or sport of traveling or racing in canoes.
canon
noun
A collection of works or rules officially accepted as genuine or authoritative, such as the accepted body of a writer's work or a set of religious texts.
canopy
noun
A covering suspended or supported above something, such as a bed or entrance.
cant
noun
The specialized jargon of a particular trade, class, or group.
cantaloupe
noun
A type of muskmelon with sweet orange flesh and a rough, netted or ribbed rind.
canteen
noun
A small, often flask-shaped container for carrying drinking water, especially used by soldiers or campers.
canter
noun
A horse's gait that is faster than a trot but slower than a gallop.
Canterbury
noun
A stand or rack with dividers, used to hold magazines, sheet music, or loose papers upright.
cantina
noun
A small bar or saloon, especially one found in Latin American countries.
canto
noun
One of the main sections into which a long poem is divided.
canton
noun
A political or administrative division of a country, such as one of the states of Switzerland.
Cantonese
adj
Relating to the city of Guangzhou (historically called Canton), its people, language, or cuisine.
cantor
noun
A person who leads the singing in a religious service, especially in a Jewish synagogue.
Cantrell
name
An English surname, possibly an occupational name for a bellmaker.
Cantwell
name
A surname, and a small community in Alaska.
canvas
noun
A heavy, coarse woven fabric traditionally made from hemp or cotton, used for sails, tents, and painting surfaces.
canvass
verb
To go around asking people for their opinions, support, or votes.
canvassing
noun
The activity of going around asking people for votes, opinions, or support.
canyon
noun
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually carved out by a river over a long time.
Cao
name
A Chinese surname, and a state of ancient China during the Zhou dynasty.
cap
noun
A soft, close-fitting hat, often with a brim or peak, and no full brim all the way round.
capa
noun
A traditional Spanish cloak, often worn draped over the shoulders.
capability
noun
The power, skill, or resources needed to do something.
capable
adj
Having the skill, ability, or qualities needed to do something well.
capacitor
noun
An electronic component that stores electrical energy, typically made from two conductive plates separated by an insulating layer.
capacity
noun
The greatest amount that something can hold, contain, or produce.
cape
noun
A sleeveless outer garment that hangs from the shoulders and covers the back and arms.
caped
adj
Wearing a cape.
Capella
noun
A very bright star in the constellation Auriga, one of the brightest stars visible from Earth.
caper
noun
A playful, high-spirited jump or leap.
capisce
intj
Informal: "understand?" or "got it?" — used to check someone has understood, often with a hint of warning.
capita
noun
Heads, or individual persons — almost always seen in the fixed phrase "per capita," meaning "for each person."
capitaine
noun
French word for "captain," occasionally used in English for flavor.
capital
noun
The city where a country's or region's government is based.
capitalism
noun
An economic system in which businesses and resources are privately owned and run for profit, with prices largely set by supply and demand rather than the state.
capitalist
noun
A person who owns or invests significant wealth in businesses to earn a profit.
capitalize
verb
To write a letter or word in uppercase.
capitan
noun
Spanish for "captain," sometimes borrowed into English for local flavor.
Capitol
noun
The building in which a country's or state's legislature meets.
capitulate
verb
To stop resisting and agree to the other side's terms; to surrender.
Caplan
name
A surname, and a municipality in Quebec, Canada.
capo
noun
A clamp placed across a guitar's fingerboard to raise the pitch of all the strings at once.
capoeira
noun
A Brazilian martial art that blends dance-like movements, acrobatics, and music.
Capone
name
An Italian surname, most famously borne by American gangster Al Capone.
capote
noun
A long, hooded coat or cloak.
Capp
name
A surname, notably borne by cartoonist Al Capp.
capped
adj
Fitted with, or having, a cap or cover; also, having an upper limit set.
Cappella
name
An Italian surname.
Cappie
noun
Informal term for a capitalist, or someone seen as pro-business or pro-establishment.
cappuccino
noun
An Italian coffee drink made from espresso topped with steamed and frothed milk.
cappy
adj
Resembling or related to a cap.
Capri
noun
A deep shade of sky blue, named after the Italian island of Capri.
caprice
noun
A sudden, impulsive change of mind or behavior with no clear reason.
capricious
adj
Changing mood or behavior suddenly and unpredictably, without an obvious reason.
Capricorn
noun
The zodiac sign of the goat, covering roughly late December to mid-January, or a person born under it.
caps
noun
Capital letters.
capsize
verb
To turn over or roll over in the water, or to cause a boat to do so.
capsule
noun
A small container, often plastic or made of gelatin, holding a dose of medicine.
captain
noun
The person in charge of a ship, aircraft, or team.
caption
noun
A short piece of text that explains or accompanies an image, video, or on-screen dialogue.
captioned
adj
Having a caption or captions attached.
captioning
noun
The process of adding text captions to images, video, or broadcasts.
captivated
adj
Completely fascinated or charmed; unable to look away.
captivating
adj
So interesting, charming, or beautiful that it holds someone's full attention.
captive
noun
A person who has been captured and is being held prisoner.
captivity
noun
The state of being held prisoner or kept confined.
captor
noun
A person who has captured or is holding someone prisoner.
capture
verb
To take hold of or seize something or someone by force.
captured
adj
Seized, taken prisoner, or recorded.
Capua
name
A town in the Campania region of southern Italy.
Capulet
noun
A member of one side of a bitter, long-running feud between two families or factions, drawing on the Capulets in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (the other side being the Montagues).
Caputo
name
An Italian surname.
car
noun
A road vehicle with an engine, wheels, and seats, used to carry a small number of people.