Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with J
Showing words 121–240 of 407. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
jellyroll
na thin sheet of sponge cake spread with jelly and rolled up.
jeopardise
vTo put something in a situation where it can be lost, harmed, or destroyed; to endanger.
jeopardize
vto put something such as a plan or system in danger of being harmed or damaged
jeopardy
ndanger of loss, harm, or failure
jeremiad
na long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes.
jerk
vTo make a short, sudden movement, or to cause something to move in this way.
jerk-off
nA foolish, annoying, or contemptible person.
jerkily
advin a way that involves sudden, sharp, and often uncontrolled movements
jerkin
na short, close-fitting jacket, often sleeveless, worn especially by men in the 16th and 17th centuries.
jerking
adjMaking sudden, quick, and usually uncontrolled movements
jerky
adjMoving in sudden, sharp, and uneven ways; not smooth
jerry-built
adjBuilt cheaply, quickly, and badly, using poor-quality materials.
jerry-rigged
adjMade or put together in a crude or improvised manner from whatever materials are available.
jersey
na piece of clothing made of soft material, typically with long sleeves, worn on the upper body for sports or as casual wear.
jessamine
nA name for the common jasmine, especially the yellow-flowered species *Jasminum humile*.
jest
nA thing said or done for amusement; a joke.
jester
na man in the past whose job was to tell jokes and make people laugh, especially for a king or queen
jesting
adjSpeaking or acting in a joking or humorous way.
Jesuit
nA member of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1534, known for its work in education, scholarship, and missionary activity.
jet
nan aircraft powered by one or more jet engines
jet-black
adjOf a very deep, glossy black color.
jet-engine
nan engine that produces forward motion by forcing out a stream of hot air and gases backwards, especially one used to power an aircraft
jet-lagged
adjFeeling tired and slightly confused because you have travelled quickly by aircraft across several time zones.
jet-powered
adjUsing the thrust from one or more jet engines for power.
jet-set
nThe international social group of wealthy people who travel frequently for pleasure
jet-setting
adjDescribing a luxurious and glamorous lifestyle involving frequent travel by jet aircraft to fashionable places.
jet-ski
nA small vehicle like a motorcycle that is ridden on water and is powered by a jet of water forced out from the back.
jetlag
nThe tired and confused feeling that people can experience after a long flight through different time zones.
jetliner
na large passenger aircraft powered by jet engines.
jetsam
nGoods thrown overboard from a ship to lighten it, especially in an emergency, which sink or are washed ashore.
jettison
vto throw goods, fuel, or equipment from a ship, aircraft, or vehicle in order to make it lighter in an emergency
jetty
nA structure built out into the water to protect a harbor or coast from currents or tides or to provide a landing place for boats.
jetway
nA movable, enclosed bridge that connects an airport terminal gate to an airplane, allowing passengers to board and disembark without going outside.
Jew
nA member of the people and cultural community whose traditional religion is Judaism and who trace their origins through the ancient Hebrew people of Israel to Abraham.
jewel
na precious stone, such as a diamond, ruby, or emerald
jewel-encrusted
adjdecorated or covered with jewels or other precious ornaments.
jewel-like
adjresembling a jewel in brilliance, color, or delicacy.
jewel-toned
adjhaving a rich, deep, and often sparkling color like that of a gemstone.
jeweled
adjdecorated or set with jewels or similar ornaments.
jeweler
na person or company that makes, sells, or repairs jewelry and watches.
jewelled
adjDecorated or set with jewels or similar sparkling objects.
jeweller
na person or company that makes, sells, or repairs jewellery and watches.
jewellery
ndecorative objects worn on the body, such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets, often made from valuable metals and precious stones.
jewelry
ndecorative items (such as rings, necklaces, and earrings) that are worn on the body and are typically made from precious metals and gems.
jewelweed
na plant of the impatiens family, typically having orange or yellow flowers and seed pods that burst open when touched.
jewess
nA dated and often offensive term for a Jewish woman or girl.
Jewish
adjRelating to, associated with, or characteristic of Jews or Judaism.
jewish-american
adjRelating to or characteristic of American people of Jewish descent or heritage.
jewish-arab
adjOf or relating to both Jewish and Arab heritage, culture, or identity.
jewish-christian
adjRelating to or having characteristics of both Judaism and Christianity, or their shared traditions and heritage.
jewish-owned
adjOwned by Jewish people or a Jewish person.
jib
nA triangular sail set forward of the mast.
jibe
vTo make insulting or mocking remarks; to jeer.
jicama
nthe crisp, white-fleshed, edible tuber of a tropical american vine, eaten raw or cooked.
jiffy
na very short period of time; a moment
jig
na quick, lively dance with leaping movements
jigger
nA small measure for alcoholic spirits, typically holding 1.5 fluid ounces.
jigging
nthe action of dancing a jig, a lively folk dance.
jiggle
vto move or cause to move with quick, short, jerky movements up and down or from side to side.
jiggling
v(present participle) moving lightly and quickly from side to side or up and down
jigsaw
nA picture stuck onto wood or cardboard and cut into numerous interlocking pieces that form a puzzle when reassembled.
jihad
nA struggle or effort by Muslims to defend or spread their faith, which can be an internal spiritual struggle or an external physical one.
jihadi
nA person who engages in or supports jihad, especially as a militant or extremist.
jihadist
na person who believes in or participates in a jihad; especially a militant Islamic extremist advocating or engaging in violent jihad.
jillion
nAn extremely large, indefinite number or amount; a huge multitude.
jilt
vTo suddenly end a romantic relationship with someone in an unkind way.
jilted
adjDescribing someone who has been suddenly rejected or abandoned by a lover or romantic partner.
jimmies
nTiny rod-shaped sugar confectionery used as a topping, especially on ice cream or cupcakes, often in a variety of colors.
jingle
vTo make a light, ringing sound like small pieces of metal hitting together.
jingling
adjMaking a light, ringing sound like that of small bells or pieces of metal striking together.
jingoism
nextreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy.
jingoistic
adjcharacterized by extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy.
jinks
nlively, playful, or mischievous activity; pranks or frolic.
jinx
nA person or thing that brings bad luck
jitney
nA small bus or car that carries passengers along a regular route for a low fare.
jitterbug
na fast, acrobatic dance popular in the 1940s, performed especially to swing music.
jitters
nA feeling of extreme nervousness or anxiety, often causing small, uncontrolled movements.
jittery
adjnervous or unable to relax
jive
na lively style of dance popular especially in the 1940s and 1950s, performed to swing music or rock and roll.
job
nA paid position of regular employment.
job-approval
nThe act or process of formally authorizing or sanctioning a job, position, or employment action.
job-creating
adjDescribing an activity, policy, or industry that generates new employment opportunities.
job-creation
nThe process of creating new jobs, especially by the government or within an economy.
job-hunting
nThe activity of trying to find a job.
job-placement
nThe act or process of finding a job for someone, especially as a service provided by an organization.
job-related
adjConnected to or associated with one's employment or occupation.
job-search
nThe activity of trying to find employment.
job-seeking
nThe activity of trying to find employment.
job-training
nTraining that is given to someone to teach them the skills needed for a particular job or type of work.
jobless
adjwithout a paid job; unemployed.
joblessness
nThe state of being without a paid job; unemployment.
jock
nA person who is very interested in and good at sports, especially at school or college.
jockey
na person whose job is riding horses in races
jockeying
vCompeting with others in an intense or aggressive way to gain an advantage or a desired position.
jockstrap
nA support for the male genitals, consisting of a pouch and elastic straps, worn especially by athletes.
jocular
adjcharacterized by joking or good humor; humorous or playful.
jocularity
nThe quality of being humorous or playful.
jocularly
advIn a humorous or playful manner.
jocund
adjcheerful and lighthearted.
jodhpur
na type of ankle-length boot, originally worn for riding, that fits closely from the knee to the ankle and then has a flared cuff at the top.
jog
vto run at a slow, steady pace, especially for exercise
jogger
na person who runs at a slow, steady pace for exercise
jogging
nthe activity of running at a slow, steady pace for exercise.
joggle
vTo shake or move something slightly and repeatedly.
johannine
adjRelating to or characteristic of the Apostle John or the writings (especially the Gospel and Epistles) attributed to him.
john
nA common first name for a male.
johnboat
nA flat-bottomed boat, typically square-bowed and made of aluminum, fiberglass, or wood, used especially for fishing in calm, shallow waters.
join
vTo connect or fasten things together.
joined
vPast tense and past participle of 'join'. To connect or fasten things together.
joiner
nA person whose job is to make wooden window frames, doors, etc. by joining pieces of wood.
joinery
nThe skill or work of a joiner; fine woodworking, especially the making of furniture and fittings by joining pieces of wood.
joining
nThe action or an instance of connecting or combining things together.
joint
nA place where two or more parts of an object or structure are joined.
joint-stock
adjRelating to or denoting a company whose stock is owned jointly by the shareholders.
jointly
advin a way that is done together with another person or group
joist
nA long, thick piece of wood, steel, or concrete used in building to support a floor or ceiling.
jojoba
nA shrub native to arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
joke
nsomething said or done to make people laugh, especially a funny story
joker
na person who likes to make jokes or play tricks
jokester
na person who enjoys telling jokes or playing tricks.