Alphabetical word directory

English words starting with P

Showing words 1,441–1,560 of 4,251. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.

photovoltaic

adj

Relating to or denoting the production of electric current at the junction of two substances exposed to light.

[ˌfoʊ.t̬oʊ.vɑːlˈteɪ.ɪk]

phragmite

n

A tall, reed-like marsh plant, especially the common reed (Phragmites australis).

[ˈfræɡmaɪt]

phrasal

adj

Relating to, consisting of, or forming a phrase or phrases.

[ˈfreɪzəl]

phrase

n

a group of words that have a particular meaning when used together

[freɪz]

phrasebook

n

A small book containing useful words and phrases for travelers, typically arranged by topic and often including pronunciations.

[ˈfreɪzˌbʊk]

phraseology

n

The particular way in which words and phrases are chosen and used in speech or writing; the study of this.

[ˌfreɪziˈɑːlədʒi]

phrasing

n

The particular words or style of words that someone uses to express an idea.

[ˈfreɪzɪŋ]

phrenological

adj

Relating to phrenology, the historical theory that a person's character and mental abilities can be judged from the shape of their skull.

[ˌfrɛnəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl]

phrenologist

n

A person who studies or practices phrenology, the historical theory that a person's character and mental abilities can be judged from the shape of their skull.

[frɪˈnɑːlədʒɪst]

phrenology

n

A now discredited theory of the 19th century which proposed that a person's character and mental abilities could be judged by the shape and size of different areas of their skull.

[frɪˈnɑːlədʒi]

phrygian

adj

Of or relating to ancient Phrygia or its people, language, or culture.

[ˈfrɪdʒiən]

phthalate

n

Any of a group of chemical compounds that are esters of phthalic acid, used mainly as plasticizers to make plastics more flexible.

[ˈθæleɪt, ˈfθæleɪt]

phylactery

n

A small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men during morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.

[fɪˈlæktəri]

phyllo

n

A type of very thin, flaky pastry dough used especially in Greek and Middle Eastern cooking.

[ˈfaɪloʊ]

phylloxera

n

a small, sap-sucking insect that attacks the roots and leaves of grapevines, causing severe damage.

[fɪˈlɑːksərə]

phylogenetic

adj

Relating to the evolutionary development and diversification of a species or group of organisms.

[ˌfaɪloʊdʒɪˈnetɪk]

phylogenetically

adv

In a way that relates to the evolutionary development and diversification of a species or group of organisms.

[ˌfaɪloʊdʒəˈnetɪkli]

phylogeny

n

The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms.

[faɪˈlɑːdʒəni]

phylum

n

A principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom.

[ˈfaɪləm]

phys-ed

n

Physical education; a course or program of instruction in physical exercise and sports, especially in a school.

[ˈfɪz ˌed]

physiatrist

n

A medical doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, focusing on restoring functional ability and quality of life to patients with physical impairments or disabilities.

[fɪˈzaɪ.ə.trɪst]

physic

n

An archaic term for a medicine, especially a purgative or laxative.

[ˈfɪzɪk]

physical

adj

Relating to the body as opposed to the mind.

[ˈfɪzɪkəl]

physical-education

n

Instruction in physical exercise and games, especially in schools.

[ˈfɪzɪkəl ˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃən]

physicality

n

The quality of being physical, especially the strong, bodily, or sexual nature of a person or thing.

[ˌfɪzɪˈkæləti]

physically

adv

in a way that relates to the body or things you can touch and see

[ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl.i]

physician

n

A person who is qualified to treat people who are ill, especially a doctor who is not a surgeon.

[fɪˈzɪʃn]

physician-patient

adj

Relating to or involving the interaction between a doctor and their patient.

[fəˈzɪʃən ˈpeɪʃənt]

physicist

n

a scientist who studies or is an expert in physics.

[ˈfɪz.ə.sɪst]

physico-chemical

adj

Relating to both physics and chemistry; involving the physical and chemical properties or processes of a substance.

[ˌfɪzɪkoʊˈkɛmɪkəl]

physics

n

The scientific study of matter and energy and the relationships between them, including the study of forces, heat, light, sound, electricity, and the structure of atoms.

[ˈfɪz.ɪks]

physiognomic

adj

relating to a person's facial features or expression, especially when regarded as an indicator of character or ethnic origin.

[ˌfɪziəˈnɑːmɪk]

physiognomy

n

the general appearance of a person's face.

[ˌfɪziˈɑːnəmi]

physiographic

adj

Relating to the description of the natural features of the earth's surface.

[ˌfɪziəˈɡræfɪk]

physiologic

adj

Relating to the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.

[ˌfɪziəˈlɑːdʒɪk]

physiological

adj

Relating to the way in which the body of a living thing operates.

[ˌfɪz.i.əˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl]

physiologically

adv

In a way that relates to the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.

[ˌfɪz.i.əˈlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl.i]

physiologist

n

A scientist who studies the functions of living organisms and their parts.

[ˌfɪziˈɑːlədʒɪst]

physiology

n

The scientific study of the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.

[ˌfɪziˈɑːlədʒi]

physiotherapist

n

a person whose job is to treat physical problems or injuries using physical methods, such as exercise and massage, rather than drugs or surgery.

[ˌfɪz.i.oʊˈθer.ə.pɪst]

physiotherapy

n

the treatment of disease, injury, or weakness in the joints or muscles by exercises, massage, and the use of light, heat, cold, and water.

[ˌfɪz.i.oʊˈθer.ə.pi]

physique

n

the form, size, and development of a person's body.

[fɪˈziːk]

physis

n

The concept of nature, growth, or the inherent character of something, especially in ancient Greek philosophy and medicine.

[ˈfaɪsɪs]

phytochemical

n

a chemical compound produced by a plant, often one that has biological activity or health benefits.

[ˌfaɪtoʊˈkemɪkəl]

phytoestrogen

n

a plant-derived compound that can mimic the biological activity of the hormone estrogen in an animal's body.

[ˌfaɪtoʊˈestrədʒən]

phytolith

n

A microscopic particle of silica that forms inside a plant and remains in the soil after the plant decays, often used in archaeology and paleobotany for identification.

[ˈfaɪ.t̬oʊ.lɪθ]

phytonutrient

n

A substance found in plants that is beneficial to health and nutrition, though not essential for life.

[ˌfaɪtoʊˈnuːtriənt]

phytoplankton

n

microscopic plant-like organisms that drift in bodies of water and form the base of many aquatic food webs.

[ˌfaɪ.toʊˈplæŋk.tən]

pi

n

The sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (Π, π)

[paɪ]

piagetian

adj

Relating to or characteristic of the theories of the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, especially his work on cognitive development in children.

[ˌpiː.əˈʒeɪ.ʃən]

pianissimo

adv

(often used as a musical direction) in a very soft or quiet manner.

[ˌpiəˈnɪsəˌmoʊ]

pianist

n

a person who plays the piano, especially professionally.

[ˈpiːənɪst]

piano

n

a large musical instrument played by pressing black and white keys on a keyboard, causing hammers to strike strings

[piˈænoʊ]

pianoforte

n

a large musical instrument with a keyboard, in which strings are struck by hammers when the keys are pressed.

[piˌænoʊˈfɔːrteɪ]

piazza

n

a public square or marketplace, especially in an italian town.

[piˈɑːzə]

pic

n

A photograph.

[pɪk]

pica

n

an abnormal craving to eat substances not normally eaten, such as clay, dirt, or chalk, occurring during pregnancy or in some nutritional deficiencies.

[ˈpaɪkə]

picador

n

A horseman in a bullfight who jabs the bull with a lance to weaken its neck and shoulder muscles.

[ˈpɪkəˌdɔr]

picaresque

adj

relating to a type of fiction that describes the adventures of a dishonest but appealing character, typically from a low social class.

[ˌpɪkəˈrɛsk]

picayune

adj

Of little value or importance; petty or trivial.

[ˌpɪkəˈjuːn]

picayunish

adj

Concerned with or focused on trivial details, especially in a petty or mean-spirited way.

[ˌpɪkəˈjuːnɪʃ]

piccolo

n

A small flute sounding an octave higher than the ordinary concert flute.

[ˈpɪkəloʊ]

pice

n

A former monetary unit and coin of India and Pakistan, equal to one quarter of an anna.

[paɪs]

pick

v

to choose something from a group of things or people

[pɪk]

pick-and-roll

n

An offensive play in basketball in which a player sets a screen (pick) for a teammate handling the ball and then moves toward the basket (rolls) to receive a pass.

[ˈpɪk ən(d) ˈroʊl]

pick-me-up

n

a drink or something to eat that makes you feel more energetic and cheerful

[ˈpɪk mi ʌp]

pick-your-own

adj

Relating to a farm or orchard where customers harvest their own fruit or vegetables directly from the plants.

[ˌpɪk jər ˈoʊn]

pickaninny

n

A dated and offensive term for a small Black child.

[ˈpɪkəˌnɪni]

pickax

n

A heavy tool with a curved iron or steel head pointed at one or both ends, attached at the center to a wooden handle, used for breaking up hard ground or rock.

[ˈpɪkæks]

pickaxe

n

A heavy tool with a curved iron or steel head pointed at one or both ends, used for breaking up hard ground or rock.

[ˈpɪkæks]

picked

v

Past tense and past participle of the verb 'pick'.

[pɪkt]

picker

n

A person or thing that picks, especially a person who gathers crops or a tool for plucking strings.

[ˈpɪkər]

pickerel

n

A young or small pike (a type of freshwater fish).

[ˈpɪk(ə)rəl]

picket

n

A pointed wooden or metal stake driven into the ground to form a fence, mark a boundary, or tether an animal.

[ˈpɪkɪt]

picketer

n

A person who takes part in a picket, especially during a strike or protest.

[ˈpɪkɪtər]

picketing

n

the activity of standing or marching outside a building, especially a place of work, to protest about something or to prevent people from entering during a strike.

[ˈpɪkɪtɪŋ]

picking

n

The act of choosing or selecting from a number of possibilities.

[ˈpɪkɪŋ]

pickle

n

a vegetable or fruit that has been preserved in vinegar or salt water

[ˈpɪk.l̩]

pickled

adj

(of food) preserved in vinegar or brine

[ˈpɪkld]

pickling

n

The process of preserving food in a solution of brine or vinegar.

[ˈpɪklɪŋ]

pickoff

n

A play in baseball in which a base runner is caught off base and tagged out.

[ˈpɪkɔːf]

pickpocket

n

a person who steals things from people's pockets or bags in public places

[ˈpɪkpɑːkɪt]

pickup

n

a small truck with an open back used for carrying goods

[ˈpɪkˌʌp]

picky

adj

(of a person) difficult to please; having very particular tastes or standards, especially about food.

[ˈpɪki]

picnic

n

A meal eaten outdoors, especially during an excursion to the countryside.

[ˈpɪknɪk]

picnicker

n

a person who is having or taking part in a picnic

[ˈpɪknɪkər]

picosecond

n

One trillionth (10⁻¹²) of a second.

[ˈpaɪkoʊˌsekənd]

pictish

adj

Of or relating to the Picts, their language, or their culture.

[ˈpɪktɪʃ]

pictogram

n

a picture or symbol that represents a word, idea, or piece of information

[ˈpɪktəɡræm]

pictograph

n

a picture or symbol that represents a word or idea, especially in a system of writing.

[ˈpɪktəɡræf]

pictographic

adj

Relating to or consisting of pictures or symbols used as a form of writing.

[ˌpɪktəˈɡræfɪk]

pictorial

adj

Relating to, consisting of, or expressed in pictures.

[pɪkˈtɔːriəl]

pictorially

adv

in a way that uses or relates to pictures; visually.

[pɪkˈtɔːriəli]

picture

n

A painting, drawing, or photograph of something or someone.

[ˈpɪktʃər]

picture-book

n

A book for children that uses pictures as a primary means of telling the story or conveying information.

[ˈpɪktʃər bʊk]

picture-in-picture

n

A television or video feature that allows a second, smaller image to be displayed on the screen simultaneously with the main image.

[ˈpɪktʃər ɪn ˈpɪktʃər]

picture-perfect

adj

Exactly right or ideal, especially in appearance; flawless.

[ˈpɪktʃər ˌpɜːrfɪkt]

picture-postcard

adj

(especially of a place or scene) very attractive and charming in a way that is typical of a picture postcard

[ˈpɪktʃərˌpoʊstkɑːrd]

picture-taking

n

The act or process of taking photographs.

[ˈpɪktʃərˌteɪkɪŋ]

pictured

v

Formed a mental image of something; imagined.

[ˈpɪktʃərd]

picturesque

adj

(of a place, building, scene, etc.) visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way, like something in a picture.

[ˌpɪktʃəˈrɛsk]

picturesquely

adv

in a way that is visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming manner, like a picture.

[ˌpɪktʃəˈreskli]

piddle

v

To waste time or spend it in a trifling or ineffective way.

[ˈpɪd.l̩]

piddling

adj

very small or unimportant

[ˈpɪd.lɪŋ]

pidgin

n

A simplified form of speech that is a mixture of two or more languages, used for communication between people who do not share a common language.

[ˈpɪdʒ.ɪn]

pie

n

A baked dish of fruit, or meat and vegetables, typically with a top and base of pastry.

[paɪ]

pie-eating

adj

Characteristic of or participating in a pie-eating contest.

[ˈpaɪ iːtɪŋ]

pie-in-the-sky

adj

Describing an idea or plan that is appealing but unrealistic or unlikely to be achieved.

[ˌpaɪ ɪn ðə ˈskaɪ]

pie-shaped

adj

Having the shape of a pie, especially a wedge or sector of a circle.

[ˈpaɪ ʃeɪpt]

piebald

adj

(especially of a horse) having irregular patches of two colors, typically black and white.

[ˈpaɪbɔːld]

piece

n

A separate part or section of something larger.

[piːs]

piecemeal

adj

Done or happening gradually, in separate stages, or one part at a time.

[ˈpiːsmiːl]

piecework

n

Work paid for according to the amount produced, rather than the time spent doing it.

[ˈpiːswɜːrk]

pied

adj

Having two or more different colors in blotches or patches.

[paɪd]

pied-a-terre

n

A small apartment, house, or room kept for occasional use.

[ˌpjeɪ dɑː ˈter]

piedmont

n

A gentle slope leading from the base of mountains to a region of flat land.

[ˈpiːdmɑːnt]

pier

n

a structure built out into the sea, a lake, or a river, used by boats for landing on and often with places of entertainment on it

[pɪr]

pierce

v

to make a small hole in or through something using a sharp object

[pɪrs]

pierced

adj

having a small hole made by piercing, especially for wearing jewelry.

[pɪrst]

piercing

adj

(of a sound) very sharp, high, and clear, often in an unpleasant way.

[ˈpɪrsɪŋ]
English Words Starting with P – Page 13 | OpenEtymology