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English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

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pa
noun
An informal word for father.
paan
noun
A chewable preparation of betel leaf, areca nut, and sometimes tobacco, popular across South Asia.
Pablo
name
A Spanish male given name, equivalent to the English name Paul.
Pac
name
A surname of Polish, Czech, Slovak, Spanish, or Guatemalan origin.
pace
noun
The speed at which something happens or someone moves.
paced
adj
Moving or progressing at a particular speed.
pacemaker
noun
A small medical device implanted in the chest to regulate an irregular heartbeat.
pacer
noun
Someone or something that sets the pace, especially in a race.
pacey
adj
Fast-moving or quick, especially describing a game, story, or player.
Pacheco
name
A Spanish and Portuguese surname of uncertain origin, common throughout Latin America.
pachinko
noun
A Japanese arcade game similar to pinball, where small balls fall through a field of pins.
pacific
adj
Calm and peaceful.
pacifier
noun
A small rubber or plastic nipple-shaped object given to a baby to suck on for comfort.
pacifist
noun
A person who believes in peace and opposes war or violence as a matter of principle.
pacify
verb
To calm down a person, place, or situation, ending anger, unrest, or conflict.
pacing
noun
The speed or rhythm at which something moves or unfolds.
Pacino
name
An Italian surname, most famously borne by American actor Al Pacino.
pack
noun
A bundle of things wrapped or tied together for carrying, or a bag carried on the back.
package
noun
A parcel or box containing something, usually wrapped or sealed for delivery.
packaged
adj
Already put into a package or container, ready for sale or delivery.
packaging
noun
The materials used to wrap or box a product.
Packard
name
An English surname, originally an occupational name for a maker or seller of packs; also a defunct American car brand.
packed
adj
Wrapped up or put into a container ready for storage or transport.
Packer
noun
A player on the Green Bay Packers, an American football team based in Wisconsin.
packet
noun
A small parcel, pouch, or bundle of something.
paco
noun
An alpaca, a South American animal related to the llama, raised for its soft wool.
pact
noun
A formal agreement between two or more people, groups, or nations.
pad
noun
A block of soft or absorbent material used for cushioning, cleaning, or protection.
padawan
noun
In the Star Wars fiction, an apprentice training to become a Jedi Knight.
padded
adj
Fitted or filled with soft cushioning material.
padding
noun
Soft material used to fill or cushion something.
Paddington
name
A district in London, England, known for its railway station and the fictional bear named after it.
paddle
noun
A short pole with a broad blade at one or both ends, used to propel and steer a small boat.
paddling
noun
The activity of propelling a small boat with a paddle.
paddock
noun
A small fenced field, especially one used for grazing or exercising horses.
paddy
noun
A flooded field used for growing rice.
Padilla
name
A Spanish surname, derived from a place name meaning "small pan" or "small field".
padlock
noun
A portable lock with a curved shackle, used to secure something by hooking through a hasp or chain.
padlocked
adj
Fastened shut with a padlock.
padma
noun
A lotus flower, especially as used in Indian and Buddhist imagery and poetry.
padre
noun
Informal term for a priest or military chaplain.
Padua
name
A city in northern Italy, known for its university and Renaissance art.
paedophile
noun
The standard British/Commonwealth spelling of "pedophile": an adult who is sexually attracted to children.
paella
noun
A Spanish rice dish, traditionally cooked in a wide shallow pan with vegetables and meat, seafood, or both.
pagan
adj
Relating to religions or spiritual practices outside the major world religions, often nature-based or polytheistic.
Paganini
noun
One of a stack of blocks used to raise the height of a person, chair, or piece of equipment.
page
noun
One side of a sheet of paper in a book, magazine, or document.
pageant
noun
An elaborate public show or performance, often involving costumes and a procession, sometimes a beauty competition.
paged
adj
Having numbered pages.
pager
noun
A small wireless device that receives short text or numeric messages.
Pages
name
A surname, an occupational name for a young servant or attendant.
pagina
noun
The flat surface of a leaf or of a leaf-like plant structure, as described in botany.
paging
noun
The numbering and arrangement of pages in a document.
pah
intj
An exclamation of disgust, distaste, or contempt.
paid
adj
Requiring payment; not free.
Paige
name
A feminine given name derived from the occupational surname meaning "young attendant".
pail
noun
A round container with a handle, used for carrying liquids or other loose materials; a bucket.
pain
noun
An unpleasant physical sensation caused by injury or illness.
Paine
name
An English surname, historically denoting a peasant or countryman; borne by political writer Thomas Paine.
pained
adj
Showing distress, especially emotional hurt.
painful
adj
Causing physical or emotional pain.
painfully
adverb
In a way that shows or causes pain.
painkiller
noun
A medicine used to relieve pain.
painless
adjective
Not causing or involving any pain.
painlessly
adverb
Without causing pain or difficulty.
pains
noun
Careful, deliberate effort put into doing something well (usually in the phrase "take pains").
painstaking
adjective
Done with great care and thorough attention to detail.
painstakingly
adverb
With great care and thoroughness; very slowly and meticulously.
paint
noun
A liquid or paste that is spread onto a surface and dries into a solid, coloured coating.
paintball
noun
A sport in which players use air guns to shoot capsules of paint at opponents.
paintbrush
noun
A brush used for applying paint.
painted
adjective
Covered with a layer of paint.
painter
noun
An artist who paints pictures.
painting
noun
A picture or artwork made with paint.
pair
noun
Two matching or related things considered together.
paired
adjective
Arranged or occurring as a matched set of two.
pairing
noun
The act of combining two things, or the combination itself.
paisa
noun
A small unit of currency in South Asia, equal to a fraction of a rupee or taka.
paisley
noun
A decorative pattern of curved, teardrop-shaped swirls.
pajamas
noun
Loose, comfortable clothing worn for sleeping, usually a top and trousers.
Pak
adjective
Informal shortening of "Pakistani".
Paki
adj
An offensive and outdated slang term meaning Pakistani, or perceived as such — now widely recognized as a racial slur in British English.
Pakistan
name
A country in South Asia, whose name means "land of the pure" in Urdu and Persian.
Pakistani
noun
A person from Pakistan, or someone of Pakistani descent.
pal
noun
A friend; someone you're on close, casual terms with.
palace
noun
The official residence of a monarch, head of state, or other high-ranking figure.
paladin
noun
A heroic, chivalrous champion, especially one associated with knighthood.
palanquin
noun
An enclosed litter, carried on poles by bearers, historically used to transport a passenger.
palatable
adjective
Pleasant to taste.
palate
noun
The roof of the mouth, separating the mouth from the nasal cavity.
palatial
adjective
Resembling a palace; extremely grand and spacious.
palazzo
noun
A large, grand urban building, especially in Italy.
pale
adjective
Light in colour, or lacking the usual colour, especially in the face.
Palermo
name
The capital city of Sicily, Italy.
Pales
name
A Roman deity of shepherds, flocks, and livestock.
Palestine
name
The State of Palestine, a country in the Middle East comprising the West Bank and Gaza Strip, home to the Palestinian people.
Palestinian
noun
A person from Palestine or of Palestinian descent.
palette
noun
A thin board on which a painter mixes colours.
Paley
name
An English surname, from a place name meaning "clearing by a stream".
Pali
noun
An ancient Indian language closely related to Sanskrit, used as the sacred language of Theravada Buddhist scripture.
Palin
name
A surname of English and Welsh origin, notably borne by comedian Michael Palin.
pall
noun
A heavy cloth draped over a coffin or tomb.
palladium
noun
A silvery-white metallic chemical element (symbol Pd) used in jewellery, electronics, and catalytic converters.
pallet
noun
A flat, portable platform used for stacking and moving goods, typically with a forklift.
pally
adj
Friendly and familiar, like a close friend; often used slightly mockingly of a sudden or overly casual friendliness.
palm
noun
A tall tropical tree with a crown of large leaves and no branches, such as the ones seen on beaches.
Palma
name
The capital city of Mallorca, Spain; also a surname meaning "palm tree" in Spanish and Italian.
Palme
name
A Swedish surname, notably borne by former Prime Minister Olof Palme.
Palmer
noun
Historically, a pilgrim returning from the Holy Land, traditionally carrying a palm branch as proof of the journey.
Palms
name
A surname or place name referring to palm trees; used for several neighborhoods in the United States.
palo
noun
Any of the traditional rhythmic and musical forms that make up flamenco.
paloma
noun
A cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda.
palomino
noun
A horse with a golden or tan coat and a pale cream or white mane and tail.
Palos
name
A place name of Spanish origin, meaning "poles" or "stakes"; used in several town names such as Palos Verdes.
palp
noun
A small, jointed, sensory appendage near the mouth of an insect, arachnid, or similar creature.
palpable
adj
Able to be touched or physically felt.
palsy
noun
Paralysis of part of the body, often with uncontrollable shaking, weakness, or loss of feeling.
Paltrow
name
An American surname, notably borne by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
paltry
adj
So small in amount or value as to be almost insulting; trivial or worthless.
pam
noun
A short form of the name Pamela.
Pamela
name
A feminine given name coined by poet Philip Sidney in the 16th century, from Greek elements meaning "all sweetness".
Pammy
name
An informal pet form of the given name Pamela.
pamper
verb
To treat someone with great care, comfort, and indulgence, often more than is really necessary.
pampered
adj
Given excessive comfort, care, or luxury; spoiled.
pampering
noun
The act of treating someone with great comfort, care, or indulgence.
pampers
noun
A disposable diaper, especially one made by the brand Pampers.
pamphlet
noun
A small, thin, unbound or lightly bound printed booklet, usually giving information or opinion on a single topic.
Pamplona
name
A city in northern Spain, famous for its annual running of the bulls festival.
Pan
noun
A wide, shallow metal container used for cooking food over heat.
panache
noun
A stylish, confident, and flamboyant way of doing something.
Panama
noun
A lightweight, pale straw hat with a wide brim, traditionally handwoven in Ecuador.
pancake
noun
A thin, flat cake made from batter and cooked in a pan, often eaten for breakfast or dessert.
panchayat
noun
A local village council in India (and some neighbouring countries) responsible for local governance.
pancreas
noun
A gland behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin.
pancreatic
adj
Relating to or affecting the pancreas.
panda
noun
A large black-and-white bear native to China that feeds almost entirely on bamboo.
pandemic
adj
Describing a disease that has spread across a wide geographic area, affecting a large part of the population.
pandemonium
noun
A state of wild, noisy disorder or chaos.
pander
verb
To act in a way that indulges or appeals to someone's weaknesses, desires, or lower tastes, often for personal gain.
Pandey
name
An Indian surname, derived from a Sanskrit word for a learned Brahmin scholar or priest.
Pandi
name
A given name and surname found in South Asian communities, often associated with the Hindu deity Pandiya or the mongoose in folklore.
pandit
noun
An honorary title given to a learned scholar or teacher, especially one versed in Hindu philosophy, law, or the Vedic scriptures.
Pandora
name
In Greek mythology, the first woman, given a sealed box (actually a jar) by the gods and warned never to open it — she did anyway, releasing all the troubles of the world.
Pandu
name
A king in Hindu mythology, father of the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata.
pane
noun
A single sheet of glass fitted into a window or door.
panel
noun
A flat rectangular section set into a larger surface, such as a wall, door, or fence.
Panes
name
A surname of Italian or Spanish origin, related to the word for "bread".
pang
noun
A sudden, sharp burst of physical pain.
panhandle
noun
A narrow strip of land belonging to a larger territory that juts out on a map, resembling the handle of a pan.
panic
noun
A sudden overwhelming feeling of fear that makes it hard to think clearly.
panicked
adj
Overcome by sudden fear; in a state of panic.
panicking
noun
The state of being overwhelmed by sudden fear.
panicky
adj
Showing or feeling panic; anxious and flustered.
panini
noun
A grilled sandwich made from a small loaf of bread, split and filled with ingredients such as ham or cheese.
panisse
noun
A fried or baked slice made from chickpea flour, similar to a thick chip or fritter, popular in southern French and Ligurian cooking.
Panna
name
A district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
panning
noun
The act of sifting through material, especially gravel in a river, in search of gold.
panorama
noun
A wide, unobstructed view of an entire landscape or area.
panoramic
adj
Offering or relating to a wide, sweeping view.
pansy
noun
A small cultivated garden flower with broad, often multicoloured petals.
pant
noun
A quick, heavy breath, especially after exertion.
pantheon
noun
A temple dedicated to all the gods of a religion.
panther
noun
A big cat with black fur, especially a black leopard or jaguar.
panties
noun
Underpants worn by women and girls.
panting
noun
The act of breathing quickly and heavily.
pantomime
noun
The act of telling a story or communicating through gesture and expression alone, without speaking.
pantry
noun
A small room or cupboard, usually near the kitchen, used to store food.
pants
noun
An outer garment covering the body from the waist down, with separate legs; trousers.
pantsuit
noun
A matching outfit of trousers and a jacket, typically worn by women.
panty
noun
An article of underwear worn by women, or (historically) short trousers for boys.
pantyhose
noun
Thin, close-fitting nylon leg coverings that extend from the waist to the toes.
panzer
noun
A tank, especially one used by Germany during World War II.
pao
noun
A chess variant piece that moves like the "cannon" in Chinese chess, jumping over one piece to capture another.
Paola
name
A feminine given name, the Italian and Spanish form of Paula, meaning "small" or "humble".
Paolino
name
An Italian given name and surname, a diminutive form of Paolo.
Paolo
name
An Italian male given name, equivalent to the English "Paul."
pap
noun
A soft, mushy food, especially one given to babies or the sick.
papacy
noun
The office and authority of the pope.
papal
adj
Relating to the pope or the office of the papacy.
paparazzo
noun
A freelance photographer who trails celebrities to capture candid, often unwanted photos for sale to the media.
papaya
noun
A tropical fruit tree bearing large, sweet, orange-fleshed fruit, or the fruit itself.
paper
noun
A thin material made from pressed plant fibres, used for writing, printing, wrapping, and countless other purposes.
paperback
noun
A book bound in a flexible paper cover rather than a stiff board one.
paperboy
noun
A boy or young person who delivers newspapers to homes on a set route.
papers
noun
Official identity or travel documents, such as a passport or visa.
paperweight
noun
A small heavy object placed on top of loose papers to stop them blowing away.
paperwork
noun
Routine administrative work involving forms, records, and other documents.
Pappa
name
A Greek surname, from a word meaning "priest" or used as an affectionate term for father.
Pappas
name
A Greek surname derived from "papas", meaning "priest".
pappy
noun
An informal, often Southern US, word for father.
paprika
noun
A red powdered spice made from dried, ground sweet or chili peppers, common in Hungarian and other cuisines.
Papua
noun
A person native to Papua or Papua New Guinea.
papyrus
noun
A tall reed-like plant that grows along the Nile, once used to make an early writing material.
par
noun
A standard or average level considered normal or acceptable.
para
noun
A former small unit of currency used in parts of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey, and the Balkans.
parable
noun
A short story used to teach a moral or spiritual lesson through comparison.
parabolic
adj
Shaped like or relating to a parabola — a smooth, U-shaped curve.
Paracelsus
name
The adopted name of a 16th-century Swiss physician and alchemist known for early contributions to medicine and toxicology.
paracetamol
noun
A common over-the-counter drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever (known as acetaminophen in the US).
parachute
noun
A fabric device that fills with air to slow the fall of a person or object dropped from height.
parachuting
noun
The sport or activity of jumping from an aircraft using a parachute.
parade
noun
A public procession, often celebratory, held to mark an occasion.
paradigm
noun
A typical pattern or model of how something is done; a framework of ideas or beliefs.
parading
noun
The act of marching or displaying something in public, as in a parade.
paradise
noun
A place or state of perfect happiness, often associated with heaven or the Garden of Eden.
paradox
noun
A statement or situation that seems to contradict itself yet may still be true.
paradoxical
adj
Having qualities that seem to contradict each other; involving a paradox.
paraffin
noun
A waxy or oily substance derived from petroleum, used as fuel, in candles, or for waterproofing.
paragon
noun
A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a quality.
paragraph
noun
A distinct section of writing, usually several sentences long, dealing with a single idea and starting on a new line.
Paraguay
name
A landlocked country in South America, whose capital is Asunción.
parakeet
noun
Any of several species of small, often brightly coloured, long-tailed parrots.
paralegal
noun
Someone who assists lawyers with legal research and casework but is not a fully qualified lawyer.
parallel
adj
Running alongside something else, always the same distance apart, never meeting.
paralysis
noun
The loss of the ability to move part or all of the body.
paralytic
adj
Affected by or relating to paralysis.
paralyze
verb
To cause loss of movement or feeling in part of the body.
paralyzed
adj
Unable to move all or part of the body.
paralyzing
adj
Causing an inability to move or act.
paramedic
noun
A medically trained professional who provides emergency care outside a hospital, often responding to 911/999 calls.
paramilitary
noun
An organized group structured and equipped like a military force but not officially part of a country's armed forces.
paramount
adj
Supreme in importance, rank, or authority; overriding everything else.
paramour
noun
A lover, especially one involved in a secret or illicit romantic or sexual relationship.
paranoia
noun
A mental health condition marked by persistent, irrational feelings of persecution or threat.
paranoid
adj
Suffering from or related to paranoia.
paranormal
adj
Beyond what science can currently explain, especially involving ghosts, telepathy, or similar phenomena.
parapet
noun
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony.
paraphernalia
noun
A miscellaneous collection of items, especially equipment associated with a particular activity.
paraphrase
noun
A restatement of a passage or idea in different words, usually to make it clearer or shorter.
paraplegic
adj
Relating to or affected by paraplegia, paralysis of the lower body.
parasite
noun
An organism that lives on or in another species and benefits at that host's expense.
parasitic
adj
Relating to or behaving like a parasite, living off another organism or person.
parasol
noun
A lightweight umbrella carried for shade rather than rain.
paratrooper
noun
A soldier trained to parachute into combat areas from an aircraft.
parcel
noun
A wrapped package prepared for shipping or delivery.
parcels
noun
Plural of parcel: wrapped packages sent or carried, especially by post.
parched
adj
Dried out from heat or lack of moisture.
parchment
noun
A writing material made from treated animal skin, used before paper became common.
pardner
noun
An informal, dialectal pronunciation of "partner," often used as a friendly form of address.
pardon
noun
Forgiveness for an offence.
pardoned
adj
Officially forgiven for a wrongdoing, especially a crime.
parent
noun
A person who raises, cares for, or has legal responsibility for a child.
parental
adj
Relating to a parent or to parenthood.
parenthood
noun
The state or experience of being a parent.
parenting
noun
The activity and approach of raising and guiding a child.
parfait
noun
A layered dessert, typically made with fruit, ice cream, or whipped cream and served in a tall glass.
parietal
adj
Relating to the wall of a body cavity or organ.
Paris
name
The capital city of France, known as a global center of art, fashion, and culture.
parish
noun
A local church community and the district it serves.
parishioner
noun
A member of a particular parish.
Parisian
noun
A native or resident of Paris.
park
noun
An area of land, often in or near a town, set aside for recreation or preserved in a natural state.
parka
noun
A heavy, hooded jacket designed to protect against cold, wind, and rain.
parked
adj
Left standing in a particular spot while not in use.
Parker
noun
Someone who parks a vehicle, especially described by how well or badly they do it.
Parkes
name
An English surname and place name, a variant of Parks, denoting someone who lived near a park.
parking
noun
The act of stopping and leaving a vehicle in a location.
Parkinson
name
An English surname meaning "son of Parkin"; notably borne by physician James Parkinson, for whom Parkinson's disease is named.
Parkman
name
An English surname, an occupational name for a gamekeeper or park-keeper.
parkour
noun
An athletic discipline of moving efficiently through an environment using running, jumping, vaulting, and climbing.
Parks
name
An English surname, denoting someone who worked in or lived near a park; notably borne by civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
parkway
noun
A broad road with trees or landscaping along it, or running through a park.
parlance
noun
The particular way of speaking or set of terms used by a certain group, trade, or field.
parlay
noun
A bet in which the original stake and all its winnings are rolled forward into further bets.
parley
noun
A meeting to discuss terms, especially between opposing sides or enemies.
parliament
noun
A country's elected law-making body, which debates issues, passes laws, and oversees government spending.
parliamentary
adj
Relating to, or carried out by, a parliament.
parlour
noun
A sitting room in a house set aside for receiving guests, or a shop offering a particular service (British spelling of "parlor").
parm
noun
Informal short form of "parmesan," or a dish made in the parmigiana style, breaded and baked with cheese and tomato sauce.
parma
noun
A dish of meat or vegetables cooked in the parmigiana style, coated in tomato sauce and cheese.
parmesan
noun
A hard, aged Italian cheese with a strong, salty flavour, traditionally made near Parma.
Parnell
name
A surname, and a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand named after that surname.
Paro
name
A town and district in Bhutan, and a female given name.
parochial
adj
Relating to a parish, the local area a church serves.
parody
noun
A piece of writing, music, or performance that imitates something else for comic or mocking effect.
parole
noun
The early, conditional release of a prisoner who agrees to follow certain rules and report to an officer.
parolee
noun
Someone who has been released from prison on parole.
parr
noun
A young salmon at the stage between hatching and heading out to sea, marked with dark side-bars.
Parrish
name
A surname, and the name of several small towns in the United States.
parrot
noun
A brightly coloured tropical bird known for its curved beak and ability to mimic human speech.
parry
verb
To block or deflect a blow, attack, or difficult question.
parsa
noun
An old unit of distance used in Hebrew and Persian texts, roughly the distance a person can walk in about an hour and a quarter — close to four kilometers.
parsley
noun
A leafy green herb used to flavour or garnish food.
parsnip
noun
A pale, sweet-tasting root vegetable related to the carrot.
parson
noun
A member of the clergy, especially one in charge of a parish.
part
noun
A piece or portion of something larger.
partake
verb
To take part in an activity, or to have some of something being shared, especially food or drink.
parted
adj
Separated or divided, or (of hair) combed to one side to form a visible line.
Parthenon
name
The famous ancient temple to the goddess Athena on the Acropolis in Athens.
partial
adj
Not complete; only affecting or including part of something.
partially
adv
To some extent, but not completely.
participant
noun
A person who takes part in an activity, event, or study.
participate
verb
To take part in or become involved in something.
participation
noun
The act of taking part in something.
particle
noun
A very small piece or amount of matter.
particular
adj
Specific; referring to one particular thing rather than things in general.
particularly
adv
Especially; more than usual or more than others.
particulars
noun
The specific details of something.
parting
noun
The act of leaving or separating from someone, or the moment it happens.
partisan
noun
A strong, often unquestioning supporter of a party, cause, or leader.