Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with M
Showing words 1,201–1,320 of 2,958. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
metamorphic
adjrelating to or resulting from metamorphosis, especially in geology where rocks have been changed by heat, pressure, or other natural processes.
metamorphose
vTo change completely in form or nature.
metamorphosed
v(past tense and past participle of metamorphose) To change completely in form, appearance, or character.
metamorphoses
verb (third person singular)To change in form, structure, or substance, especially by supernatural means.
metamorphosis
nA complete change of form, structure, or substance, especially by magic or witchcraft.
metanarrative
nA single, overarching story or theory that claims to provide a comprehensive explanation of historical events, experiences, or knowledge.
metaphor
nA word or phrase used to describe somebody/something else, in a way that is different from its normal use, in order to show that the two things have the same qualities and to make the description more powerful.
metaphoric
adjdescribing something in a way that is not literally true, but helps to explain an idea or make a comparison
metaphorical
adjdescribing something by using an image or idea that is not literally applicable, to suggest a comparison.
metaphorically
advIn a way that uses or relates to metaphor; not literally.
metaphysical
adjrelating to the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of existence, truth, and knowledge
metaphysically
advin a way that relates to metaphysics, the branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and existence.
metaphysician
nA person who specializes in metaphysics, the branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality.
metaphysics
nthe branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, identity, time, and space.
metaplasia
nThe transformation of one type of differentiated cell into another type of differentiated cell.
metastable
adj(of a state or system) stable under small disturbances but capable of changing to a more stable state given a sufficiently large perturbation.
metastasis
nThe development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer.
metastasize
v(of cancer cells) to spread from the original site of a disease to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system.
metastatic
adjrelating to or having undergone metastasis, the spread of a disease, especially cancer, from one part of the body to another.
metatarsal
adjRelating to the metatarsus, the group of bones in the foot between the ankle and the toes.
metatextual
adjReferring to or constituting a commentary on a text, especially concerning its structure, genre, or conventions rather than its content.
mete
vTo distribute or allot something, especially punishment, justice, or reward.
meteor
nA piece of rock or metal from space that enters the Earth's atmosphere and appears as a bright streak of light.
meteoric
adjrelating to meteors or meteorites.
meteorite
nA piece of rock or metal from space that has landed on Earth's surface.
meteoritic
adjRelating to or characteristic of a meteorite.
meteoroid
na small rocky or metallic body moving in the solar system that is smaller than an asteroid
meteorological
adjrelating to the branch of science concerned with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather.
meteorologist
nA scientist who studies the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially for weather forecasting.
meteorology
nThe scientific study of the earth's atmosphere and its changes, used especially for forecasting the weather.
meter
na device that measures and records the amount of something used, the distance travelled, or the time elapsed
meter-long
adjHaving a length of one meter.
metered
adjMeasured or regulated by a meter, especially a device that measures quantity or usage.
meth
nThe illegal and highly addictive drug methamphetamine.
methadone
nA powerful synthetic drug used as a painkiller and, more commonly, as a substitute in the treatment of addiction to heroin and other opioids.
methamphetamine
nA powerful, highly addictive synthetic stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system.
methane
na colorless, odorless flammable gas that is the main constituent of natural gas and is used as a fuel.
methanol
na poisonous, flammable, volatile liquid alcohol, used as a solvent, antifreeze, and fuel.
methicillin
nA semisynthetic penicillin antibiotic that is resistant to penicillinase, used chiefly against staphylococcal infections.
methionine
nA sulphur-containing amino acid that is essential in the diet of vertebrates and is a constituent of many proteins.
method
nA particular way of doing something, especially a systematic or established one.
methodical
adjDone according to a systematic or established procedure; orderly and careful.
methodically
advIn a very careful and organized way, following a planned system.
Methodist
nA member of a Protestant Christian denomination that originated in the 18th-century evangelistic movement led by John and Charles Wesley.
methodological
adjRelating to the system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline or activity.
methodologically
advIn a way that relates to the system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline or field of activity.
methodology
nA system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline or field of activity.
methotrexate
nA drug that interferes with cell growth and is used to treat cancer and severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
methyl
nThe univalent alkyl radical CH3, derived from methane.
methylene
nThe chemical group or radical CH₂, derived from methane by removal of two hydrogen atoms.
methylmercury
nA highly toxic organic compound of mercury, formed as a pollutant in water and accumulating in the tissues of fish and other animals.
methylphenidate
nA synthetic drug that acts as a mild stimulant on the central nervous system, used chiefly in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
meticulous
adjshowing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
meticulously
advin a way that shows great attention to detail; very carefully and precisely.
meticulousness
nthe quality or state of being very careful and paying great attention to detail
metier
nA profession, trade, or occupation, especially one that a person is particularly suited to or skilled in.
metonym
nA word or phrase used in metonymy.
metonymic
adjRelating to or characterized by metonymy; using the name of one thing to refer to another thing closely associated with it.
metonymical
adjRelating to or using metonymy; where a word or phrase is used to represent something else that it is closely associated with.
metonymically
advIn a way that uses or relates to metonymy; by substituting the name of one thing for the name of something else that it is closely associated with.
metonymy
nA figure of speech in which the name of one thing is used to refer to something else with which it is closely associated.
metre
nThe basic unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), equal to 100 centimetres or approximately 39.37 inches.
metric
adjRelating to or based on the meter as a unit of length, or the metric system of measurement.
metrical
adjRelating to or composed in poetic meter.
metrically
advIn a way that relates to or uses the metric system of measurement.
metrics
nA set of figures or statistics that measure results.
metro
nAn underground railway system in a city.
metro-area
nA major city and its surrounding suburbs and smaller towns, considered as a single economic and social unit.
metrology
nThe scientific study of measurement.
metronidazole
nA synthetic drug used to treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and protozoa.
metronome
nA device that makes a regular, repeated sound to help a musician play music at the correct speed.
metronomic
adjhaving a very regular rhythm or pattern, like the sound of a metronome.
metroplex
nA very large metropolitan area, especially one that is a continuous complex of cities and suburbs.
metropole
nA large, important city, especially the capital or chief city of a country or region.
metropolis
nThe main city of a country or region, especially a very large and busy one.
metropolitan
adjRelating to or characteristic of a large, busy city, especially the capital or chief city of a country or region.
metrosexual
adj(of a man) spending a lot of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle, typically in a way associated with homosexual stereotypes but not homosexual.
metrowide
adjExtending across or covering an entire metropolitan area.
mettle
nA person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way.
mettlesome
adjFull of spirit and courage; lively and determined.
mew
v(of a cat or some birds) to make a characteristic high-pitched crying sound.
mewing
nThe act of making a high-pitched crying sound like that of a cat.
mewl
vTo cry weakly, like a baby; to whimper or whine feebly.
Mexican
adjRelating to Mexico, its people, or their culture.
Mexican-American
adjRelating to or denoting people of mixed Mexican and American origin or heritage.
mexican-style
adjmade or done in a way that is characteristic of Mexico or its culture
mexicana
[noun]a woman or girl of mexican origin or descent.
mexicano
na mexican man or boy.
mezuzah
nA small parchment inscribed with biblical passages, placed in a case and affixed to the doorpost of a Jewish home as a sign of faith.
mezzanine
na low story between two main stories in a building, typically between the ground and first floors.
mezzo
na female singer with a voice pitched between soprano and contralto.
mezzo-soprano
na female singing voice with a range between soprano and contralto.
mezzotint
nA method of engraving a metal plate by roughening the entire surface to create a dark background and then smoothing parts to produce lighter tones.
miasma
nan unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor
miasmic
adjrelating to or filled with a noxious or poisonous atmosphere, especially one arising from decaying organic matter.
mic
nA microphone.
mica
na mineral that easily splits into thin, shiny, flexible layers, used as an electrical insulator.
micro
nA microcomputer or microprocessor.
micro-cap
nA company with a very small market capitalization, typically below a specific threshold (e.g., $300 million).
micro-level
adjRelating to or concerned with a small-scale, detailed, or individual perspective.
micro-political
adjRelating to or concerned with the small-scale power dynamics, personal relationships, and local interests within a group or organization, as opposed to larger, formal structures or policies.
microarray
nA set of microscopic spots of biological material (such as DNA, proteins, or tissue) arranged in a regular pattern on a solid surface, used for high-throughput analysis.
microbe
nA very small living thing, especially one that causes disease, that can only be seen with a microscope.
microbial
adjRelating to or caused by microbes (microorganisms).
microbiological
adjRelating to the branch of biology that deals with microorganisms.
microbiologist
na scientist who studies microscopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
microbiology
nThe scientific study of very small living things, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
microbot
nA very small robot, typically one that is microscopic or nanoscopic in size.
microbrew
nA beer produced in small quantities by a small, independent brewery.
microbrewery
nA small-scale brewery that produces limited quantities of beer, often emphasizing quality and traditional methods.
microbus
nA small bus, typically one used as a passenger vehicle or for light transport.
microcassette
nA very small audio cassette, smaller than a standard compact cassette, used especially in portable dictation machines and early personal audio players.
microcellular
adjHaving a very small cell structure; characterized by or consisting of tiny cells.
microcephaly
na medical condition in which a person's head and brain are significantly smaller than normal for their age and sex, often leading to developmental issues.
microchip
na very small piece of silicon or similar material used in electronic equipment, containing a set of electronic parts and their connections.
microclimate
nthe climate of a very small or restricted area, especially when this differs from the climate of the surrounding area.
microcode
nA low-level set of instructions that controls the operations of a computer's central processing unit (CPU).
microcomputer
nA small computer that contains a microprocessor as its central processing unit.
microcontroller
nA small computer on a single integrated circuit, containing a processor, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals, used for controlling devices.
microcosm
na small place, society, or situation that has the same characteristics as something much larger