English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

wa

noun

A cultural value in Japanese society that emphasises group harmony over individual interests.

Wabash

name

A river in the American Midwest and a town in Indiana named after it.

wack

adjective

Bad or lame in an annoying, disappointing way; uncool, corny, or messed up.

wacko

adjective

Eccentric or irrational in a way that's amusing rather than alarming.

wacky

adjective

Amusingly odd, silly, or eccentric.

Waco

name

A city in Georgia, United States.

wad

noun

A thick, compact lump or bundle of something soft.

Wada

name

A Japanese surname.

waddle

verb

To walk with short steps, rocking from side to side.

wade

verb

To walk through water or another substance that slows you down.

wadi

noun

A valley or streambed in North Africa or the Middle East that stays dry except during rare rains.

wading

adjective

Suitable or fit for walking through water on foot, especially shallow water.

Wadsworth

name

An English surname and place name, from an Old English term for an enclosure or homestead.

wafer

noun

A thin, crisp, flat biscuit.

waffle

noun

A crisp pastry with a grid pattern, usually eaten hot with syrup or toppings.

wafting

noun

The gentle drifting of a smell or sound through the air.

wag

verb

To swing repeatedly from side to side.

wage

noun

Money paid to a worker, usually calculated by the hour.

waged

adjective

Employed and receiving a wage.

wager

noun

A bet or a stake placed on the outcome of something uncertain.

wages

noun

The total money someone earns over a given period of work.

wagging

noun

The repeated side-to-side movement of something.

wagon

noun

A four-wheeled vehicle used for carrying heavy loads, historically pulled by horses.

Wagstaff

name

An English surname, historically a nickname for a quarrelsome person, from "wag" and "staff".

wah

interjection

A cry expressing sudden fright, distress, or a baby's crying.

wahey

interjection

An exclamation of excitement or delight.

wahoo

noun

A fast-swimming tropical game fish prized by anglers.

wai

noun

A traditional Thai greeting made by pressing the palms together, often with a slight bow.

Waikiki

name

A famous beachfront neighbourhood in Honolulu, Hawaii, known for its beach and hotels.

wail

verb

To cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow.

wailing

noun

Loud, prolonged crying or howling, usually from grief.

wainwright

noun

A person whose trade is building or repairing wagons.

waist

noun

The narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips.

waistband

noun

The strip of fabric that fits around the waist on trousers or a skirt.

waistcoat

noun

A sleeveless, collarless garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket, chiefly British.

waistline

noun

The measurement around the body at the waist, or the line marking it.

wait

verb

To stay in one place or delay acting until something happens.

waiter

noun

A person who serves customers at their tables in a restaurant or café.

Waiters

name

An English surname derived from the occupation of a watchman or guard.

waiting

noun

The act of remaining somewhere until something happens.

waitress

noun

A woman who serves customers at their tables in a restaurant or café.

waits

noun

A small group of singers or musicians who go around performing in the streets, traditionally around Christmas.

waive

verb

To voluntarily give up a right, claim, or requirement.

waiver

noun

A document or formal statement giving up a legal right or claim.

wake

verb

To stop sleeping, or to rouse someone from sleep.

wakefield

noun

In physics, the powerful electric field trailing behind an intense laser or particle beam as it moves through a plasma, used to accelerate particles to very high energies.

waken

verb

To wake up, or to cause someone to wake up.

wakes

noun

A traditional local holiday or festival, especially in northern England.

wakey

interjection

Used playfully to tell someone to wake up.

waking

adjective

Happening while someone is awake, as opposed to during sleep.

Wal

name

A short, informal form of the given name Walter or Walter-derived names.

Walcott

name

An English surname, also borne by the Nobel Prize-winning Caribbean poet Derek Walcott.

Waldemar

name

A masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "famous ruler".

Walden

name

An English surname and place name, also the title of a Henry David Thoreau essay set at Walden Pond.

waldo

noun

A mechanical or robotic arm operated remotely by a human, used to handle dangerous or delicate materials from a safe distance.

Waldorf

name

A surname of German origin, and the name of a famous hotel in New York City.

Waldron

name

An English surname and place name, from Old English words meaning "wood on a hill".

Wales

name

A country that is part of the United Kingdom, located on a peninsula in the west of Great Britain.

Walid

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "newborn" or "newborn child".

walk

verb

To move on foot at a normal pace, always keeping at least one foot on the ground.

walkabout

noun

A public appearance where a famous or important person strolls through a crowd to meet people informally.

walker

noun

A person who walks, especially for exercise or leisure.

walkie

noun

Informal short form of walkie-talkie, a two-way portable radio.

walking

adjective

Moving on foot, especially at an ordinary, unhurried pace, as opposed to running.

walkman

noun

A portable cassette player with headphones, originally a Sony brand that became a generic term.

walkout

noun

A sudden work stoppage or strike, or a mass protest where people leave in unison.

Walks

name

A rare surname derived from the common verb "walk".

walkway

noun

A path or passage designed for people to walk along.

wall

noun

A solid upright structure that encloses, divides, or protects an area.

Walla

name

A place name element, as in Walla Walla, a city in the state of Washington, USA.

Wallace

name

A Scottish surname and given name, from a term meaning "foreigner" or "Welshman", historically borne by the Scottish hero William Wallace.

Wallander

name

A Swedish surname, most known as the name of detective Kurt Wallander in Henning Mankell's novels.

walled

adjective

Enclosed or surrounded by a wall.

waller

noun

A person whose trade is building stone or brick walls.

wallet

noun

A small flat case for carrying cash, cards, and other personal items.

wallflower

noun

A person who feels too shy to join in at a party or dance and ends up standing on the sidelines.

walling

noun

Material used to build walls, or the collective structure of walls.

Wallis

name

An English surname and given name, a variant of Wallace, also borne by Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.

wallop

verb

To hit someone or something very hard.

wallow

verb

To roll around in mud, water, or something similarly messy.

wallowing

noun

The act of rolling in mud or indulging excessively in a feeling.

wallpaper

noun

Decorative paper or paper-like material used to cover interior walls.

Walls

name

An English surname, likely originating as a topographic name for someone living near a wall.

Wally

noun

(British, informal) A foolish or incompetent person.

Walmart

noun

A large American discount retail chain that sells groceries alongside general merchandise, with stores across several countries.

walnut

noun

A tree of the genus Juglans, grown for its wood and edible nuts.

Walpole

name

An English surname and place name, borne by Sir Robert Walpole, widely considered Britain's first prime minister.

walrus

noun

A large Arctic marine mammal with tusks, thick wrinkled skin, and flippers.

Walsh

name

An Irish surname, historically meaning "Welshman" or foreigner from Wales.

Walt

noun

British slang for someone who falsely claims to be, or exaggerates being, a military veteran.

Walter

name

A masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler of the army".

Walters

name

An English surname meaning "son of Walter".

Walther

name

A German surname, a variant spelling of Walter, also the name of a well-known German firearms manufacturer.

waltz

noun

A ballroom dance in triple time, or the music written for it.

wan

adj

Pale and looking unwell or tired.

wand

noun

A slender rod held in the hand, especially one used by a magician or as a symbol of authority.

Wanda

name

A feminine given name possibly of Germanic or Slavic origin, associated with the Wends, a Slavic people.

wander

verb

To move around without a fixed destination or purpose.

Wanderer

noun

Someone who travels or roams without a fixed destination.

wandering

adj

Moving from place to place without a settled route or home.

Wands

name

A rare surname, likely a variant or diminutive form related to "Wand".

wane

verb

To gradually become weaker, smaller, or less intense.

wang

noun

Vulgar slang for the penis.

waning

adj

Becoming gradually weaker, smaller, or less influential.

wank

verb

(vulgar, British) To masturbate.

wanker

noun

(vulgar, British, slang) A contemptible or annoying person; an idiot.

wanna

contraction

An informal spoken contraction of "want to."

wannabe

noun

Someone who aspires to be something, often without the talent or qualifications to match.

want

verb

To wish for or desire something.

wanted

adj

Desired or sought after.

wanting

adj

Lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected.

wanton

adj

Deliberately careless or cruel, showing no regard for consequences or morality.

wantonly

adv

In a recklessly careless or malicious manner.

war

noun

Large-scale armed conflict between countries, groups, or factions.

warble

verb

To sing with a trilling, melodious quality, especially like a bird.

warbler

noun

Any of various small songbirds known for their trilling calls.

warbling

noun

The act or sound of singing with a trilling, melodious quality.

warcraft

noun

The skill, strategy, and knowledge involved in planning and conducting warfare.

ward

noun

A section of a hospital where patients with similar needs are cared for.

warden

noun

The chief administrative officer in charge of a prison.

warder

noun

(chiefly British) A prison guard.

wardrobe

noun

A tall cupboard or free-standing closet used for hanging and storing clothes, usually kept in a bedroom.

wardroom

noun

The mess or common living area on a ship reserved for commissioned officers below the rank of captain.

ware

noun

Goods made for sale, especially pottery, metalware, or similar manufactured items (often used in the plural, "wares").

warehouse

noun

A large building used for storing goods, especially before they are distributed to shops or customers.

wares

noun

Items or services offered for sale, especially by an individual trader or small seller.

warfare

noun

The act of fighting a war, or armed conflict between opposing forces.

Warfield

name

An English surname and place name, from Old English words meaning "weir field".

warhead

noun

The explosive or destructive section at the front of a missile, torpedo, or similar weapon.

warhol

noun

An informal unit representing fifteen minutes of fame or public attention.

Waring

name

An English surname, also the name of the Waring brand of kitchen blenders founded by Fred Waring.

Warleggan

name

A surname and place name from Cornwall, England, popularized as a family name in the "Poldark" novels and TV series.

warlike

adj

Eager for or inclined toward war; aggressive and hostile.

warlock

noun

A man who practises magic; often treated as the male counterpart of a witch.

warlord

noun

A powerful military commander who controls an area through armed force, typically where central government authority is weak or absent.

warm

adj

Having a moderately high, usually pleasant, temperature.

warmed

adj

Raised in temperature; made warm.

warmer

noun

A device or item that provides gentle heat, such as a food warmer or hand warmer.

warming

noun

A gradual increase in temperature.

warmly

adv

In a way that keeps or feels warm.

warmth

noun

A moderate, pleasant degree of heat.

warn

verb

To alert someone to a danger, problem, or something unpleasant that may happen.

Warner

noun

A person or thing that gives a warning.

warning

noun

A statement, sign, or signal alerting someone to a danger, problem, or possible consequence.

warp

noun

A twist or distortion out of the normal or original shape.

warpath

noun

A state of anger or aggression directed at achieving conflict or confrontation.

warped

adj

Bent or twisted out of the original, correct shape.

warrant

noun

An official document issued by a court or authority giving legal permission for an action, such as an arrest or search.

warranted

adj

Justified, appropriate, or reasonable given the circumstances.

warranty

noun

A written guarantee, usually provided with a purchase, promising repair or replacement if the product turns out to be faulty within a set period.

warren

noun

A network of interconnecting burrows where rabbits live.

Warrick

name

A masculine given name and surname, a variant spelling of Warwick.

warring

adj

Engaged in war or conflict with one another.

warrior

noun

A person who fights in battle, especially one known for skill and courage; a soldier or fighter.

Warsaw

name

The capital and largest city of Poland.

warship

noun

A ship built or equipped for combat at sea.

wart

noun

A small, rough, hard growth on the skin caused by a viral infection.

warthog

noun

A wild African pig with large tusks and wart-like bumps on its face.

wartime

noun

The period during which a war is being fought.

Warwick

name

An English town and county, and a surname derived from it, historically the seat of the Earls of Warwick.

wary

adj

Cautious and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.

Was

name

A rare surname or initialism found in some records, not a common personal or place name.

wasabi

noun

A Japanese plant grown for its sharp, spicy root, related to horseradish and mustard.

wash

verb

To clean something using water, usually with soap.

Washburn

name

An English surname and American place name, from Old English words meaning "stream that can be waded".

washcloth

noun

A small, absorbent cloth used for washing the face and body.

washer

noun

A machine that washes things, especially a washing machine or dishwasher.

washing

noun

The act of cleaning something with water.

Washington

noun

Informal term for a U.S. one-dollar bill, which carries a portrait of George Washington.

washout

noun

Damage or a channel caused when a rush of water erodes soil, a road, or a railway line.

washroom

noun

A room containing a toilet and sink, especially a public one.

Wasim

name

A masculine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "handsome" or "graceful".

wasp

noun

A flying stinging insect related to bees and ants, usually with a slim waist and yellow-and-black markings.

wassup

interjection

A very casual greeting, short for "what's up?"

waste

noun

Material that is no longer wanted or useful; rubbish.

wastebasket

noun

A small bin, usually kept indoors, for throwing away rubbish.

wasted

adjective

Used carelessly, without gaining any real benefit; not put to good use.

wasteful

adjective

Using more of something than is needed, or using it carelessly.

wasteland

noun

An area of land that is barren, ruined, or has no useful resources.

wasting

adjective

Causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker.

wastrel

noun

Someone who spends time or money recklessly, without care for the consequences.

wat

noun

A Buddhist temple complex, especially in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia.

Watanabe

name

A common Japanese surname, meaning roughly "crossing over by the water's edge".

Watari

name

A Japanese surname and given name.

watch

noun

A small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket.

watchdog

noun

A dog kept to guard property, or by extension, a person or group that monitors organisations for wrongdoing.

watched

adjective

Kept under observation; monitored closely.

watcher

noun

Someone who watches or observes something closely, often in a professional capacity.

Watchers

name

A rare surname derived from the occupation of a watchman or guard.

watches

noun

Plural of watch — small timepieces, or periods of guard duty.

watchful

adjective

Alert and paying close attention; on guard.

watching

noun

The act of observing something, especially over a period of time.

watchmaker

noun

A craftsperson who builds and repairs watches.

watchman

noun

A person employed to guard a building or area, especially at night.

watchtower

noun

A tall structure from which a guard can observe the surrounding area.

Water

noun

The clear liquid (H2O) that falls as rain and fills rivers, lakes, and seas, essential to all known life.

waterbed

noun

A bed with a mattress made from a tough plastic bladder filled with water.

watered

adjective

Supplied with water; having received water.

waterfall

noun

A place where a stream or river drops steeply over a cliff or rock ledge.

Waterfalls

name

A rare surname, and a common descriptive place name element for towns near cascading water.

Waterford

name

A city and county in Ireland, known historically for its glassmaking.

waterfront

noun

Land that borders a river, lake, sea, or ocean.

Watergate

verb

To treat someone, or handle a situation, in a way that recalls the Watergate political scandal — especially through cover-ups or abuse of power.

waterhole

noun

A natural pool or hollow where water collects, especially one animals visit to drink.

Waterhouse

noun

A structure that floats on water, used as a house or dwelling.

watering

noun

The act of pouring or supplying water onto something, such as plants or land.

Waterloo

noun

A decisive, final defeat, especially after a long run of success — from the phrase "meet one's Waterloo."

waterman

noun

A person who works on the water, especially rowing or ferrying passengers by boat.

watermark

noun

A faint design pressed into paper, visible when held up to light, often used to prove authenticity.

watermelon

noun

A large fruit with a hard green rind and sweet, watery red flesh, or the plant that grows it.

waterproof

adj

Not letting water pass through; able to keep water out completely.

Waters

name

An English surname, originally denoting someone who lived near a stream or body of water.

watershed

noun

The area of land that drains into a particular river, lake, or sea.

watertight

adj

Sealed so tightly that water cannot get in or out.

waterway

noun

A river, canal, or channel that boats can travel along.

Waterways

name

A rare surname, more commonly a descriptive term for navigable channels of water.

waterworks

noun

The system of pipes, pumps, and reservoirs that supplies water to a town or city.

watery

adj

Containing too much water, or thin and diluted like water.

Watkins

name

A Welsh surname meaning "son of Walter" or "little Walter".

Watson

name

A Scottish and English surname meaning "son of Walter", famously borne by Dr. Watson in the Sherlock Holmes stories.

watt

noun

The standard unit of power, equal to one joule of energy transferred per second.

Watts

name

An English surname meaning "son of Walter", and also a surname borne by the inventor and physicist James Watt.

wave

noun

A moving ridge on the surface of water, especially the sea.

waved

adj

Having a wavy, undulating shape or outline.

wavelength

noun

The physical distance between two matching points of a wave, such as crest to crest.

waver

verb

To hesitate or show signs of doubt, especially about a decision or resolve.

wavering

adj

Uncertain, indecisive, or unsteady.

Waverly

name

A feminine given name and place name of English origin, meaning "meadow of quivering aspens".

Waves

name

A rare surname or nickname, not commonly used as a personal name.

waving

noun

The action of moving something, especially the hand or arm, back and forth as a greeting or signal.

wavy

adj

Having a pattern of curves, rather than being straight or flat.

wawa

noun

A snow goose, a white Arctic-breeding goose species.

wax

noun

A soft, oily solid substance, such as beeswax or paraffin, used for candles, polish, and other purposes.

waxed

adj

Coated or treated with wax, usually to make something shiny, smooth, or water-resistant.

waxing

noun

The act of applying wax to something.

waxy

adj

Resembling wax in texture, appearance, or feel.

way

noun

A road, path, or route from one place to another.

Waya

name

A given name of Native American (Cherokee) origin, meaning "wolf".

Waylon

name

A masculine given name of English origin, possibly meaning "land by the road", popularized by musician Waylon Jennings.

Wayne

name

A masculine given name and surname of English origin, from an occupational term for a wagon maker.

ways

noun

A distance, especially in the informal phrase "a ways" or "a long ways."

wayside

noun

The edge of a road or path.

wayward

adj

Stubbornly doing things one's own way, ignoring rules or expectations.

wazoo

noun

Slang for the backside; used mainly in the phrase "out the wazoo," meaning in huge quantity.

we

pron

The speaker together with at least one other person.

weak

adj

Lacking physical strength or power.

weaken

verb

To make something less strong.

weakened

adj

Made less strong than before.

weakening

noun

A loss or reduction of strength.

weakling

noun

A physically frail or sickly person.

weakly

adv

In a weak manner; without much force.

weakness

noun

The state of lacking strength or power.

wealth

noun

A large amount of money, property, or valuable possessions.

wealthy

adj

Having a great deal of money or property; rich.

wean

verb

To gradually stop a baby or young animal from feeding on milk, switching it to other food.

weapon

noun

A tool or device designed to cause harm or damage, used in fighting or hunting.

weaponized

adj

Turned into, or made to function as, a weapon.

weaponry

noun

Weapons considered as a group.

wear

verb

To have clothing, jewellery, or an accessory on one's body.

wearable

adj

Suitable or comfortable to be worn.

wearer

noun

A person who wears something.

weariness

noun

A state of tiredness or exhaustion.

wearing

adj

Causing tiredness or straining one's patience.

weary

adj

Very tired, physically or mentally.

weasel

noun

A small, slender carnivorous mammal with a long body and short legs, related to the stoat and ferret.

weather

noun

The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place — temperature, rain, wind, and so on.

Weatherby

name

An English surname, a variant of "Wetherby."

weathered

adj

Worn or discolored by long exposure to sun, wind, or rain.

weatherman

noun

A person, especially on television or radio, who reports weather conditions and forecasts.

Weathers

name

An English surname, likely derived from a topographic or occupational term related to weather or sheep-shearing ("wether").

weave

verb

To make fabric or a similar structure by crossing threads or strands over and under each other.

weaver

noun

A person who weaves cloth, especially as an occupation.

Weavers

name

A surname derived from the occupation of weaving.

weaving

noun

The craft or process of making fabric on a loom.

web

noun

A network of fine threads spun by a spider to catch prey.

Webb

name

An English and Scottish surname, originally denoting someone who worked as a weaver.

webbed

adj

Having the toes or fingers joined by a membrane of skin.

webber

noun

A person or creature that produces webs, such as a spider.

webbing

noun

A strong, tightly woven fabric strip, used for straps and harnesses.

webby

adj

Resembling a web, or full of webs.

webcam

noun

A small video camera that streams live footage over a computer network, especially the internet.

weber

noun

The SI unit of magnetic flux, symbol Wb — the amount of flux that, when reduced to zero in one second, generates one volt in a single-turn circuit.

website

noun

A set of connected pages on the internet, usually hosted under one domain and reachable from a common home page.

webster

noun

An old term for a weaver, originally referring specifically to a woman who wove cloth.

wed

verb

To marry someone, or to conduct a marriage ceremony joining two people.

wedded

adj

Joined together in marriage.

wedding

noun

A ceremony in which two people are formally married.

wedge

noun

A piece of material, thick at one end and tapering to a thin edge, used to split, tighten, or lever things apart.

wedged

adj

Firmly stuck or jammed into a tight space.

wedgie

noun

A prank where someone's underwear is yanked sharply upward from behind, wedging the fabric uncomfortably.

wedlock

noun

The state of being legally married.

Wednesday

noun

The day of the week that falls between Tuesday and Thursday.

Wednesdays

adv

On each Wednesday, as a regular occurrence.

wee

adj

Very small; tiny.

weed

verb

To pull unwanted plants out of a garden or field.

weeding

noun

The act of pulling unwanted plants from a garden or field.

weeds

noun

Wild, unwanted plants growing among cultivated ones (plural of weed).

week

noun

A period of seven consecutive days.

weekday

noun

Any day of the working week, as opposed to the weekend — typically Monday through Friday.

weekdays

adv

On working days, as opposed to the weekend.