Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with P
Showing words 2,281–2,400 of 4,254. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
polyposis
nA medical condition characterized by the development of numerous polyps, especially in the mucous membrane of the colon.
polypropylene
nA synthetic resin which is a polymer of propylene, used for films, fibres, or moulding materials.
polyptych
na painting, typically an altarpiece, consisting of more than three hinged panels.
polyrhythmic
adjconsisting of two or more different rhythms played or sung simultaneously.
polysaccharide
nA carbohydrate whose molecules are composed of a large number of monosaccharide units bonded together.
polysemy
nThe fact of having more than one meaning
polystyrene
nA very light, usually white plastic used especially for making containers and for protecting delicate objects inside packages.
polysyllabic
adj(of a word) having more than one syllable.
polytechnic
adjrelating to or teaching a variety of technical and scientific subjects.
polytheism
nThe belief in or worship of more than one god.
polytheistic
adjBelieving in or worshipping more than one god.
polyunsaturated
adj(of a fat or oil) containing several double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in its molecule, and therefore considered more healthy in the diet than saturated fat.
polyurethane
na synthetic resin or plastic used especially in tough chemical-resistant coatings, adhesives, and foams.
polyvalent
adjhaving multiple different values, functions, or meanings.
pom-pom
nA decorative ball or tuft of strands of yarn, fabric, or other material, used especially on clothing, hats, or as a cheerleading accessory.
pomade
na scented ointment or cream for styling and smoothing the hair.
pomegranate
nA round fruit with a tough reddish skin, containing many seeds surrounded by juicy red flesh.
pommel
nthe upward curving or projecting part at the front of a saddle.
pomp
nThe impressive clothes, decorations, music, etc., that are traditional for an important official or public ceremony.
pompadour
na hairstyle in which the hair is brushed up high from the forehead, typically worn by men.
pompano
na deep-bodied food fish of warm seas, especially one of the western Atlantic.
pompeian
adjof or relating to the ancient roman city of pompeii or its culture.
pompon
na small, soft ball or tuft of wool, silk, feathers, or other material, used as a decoration on clothing, hats, or shoes.
pomposity
nthe quality of being too serious and showing that you think you are very important
pompous
adjaffectedly grand, solemn, or self-important in style or manner.
pompously
advin a way that is full of self-importance and intended to attract attention or admiration
Ponce
nA man who lives off the earnings of a prostitute; a pimp.
poncho
nA garment made of a single large piece of thick cloth, typically wool, with a slit in the middle for the head.
pond
nA small area of still water, typically one formed naturally.
ponder
vTo think about something carefully for a period of time.
ponderable
adjCapable of being weighed or measured; having appreciable weight or significance.
ponderosa
nA very tall pine tree (Pinus ponderosa) of western North America, having long needles and thick bark.
ponderous
adjslow and clumsy because of great weight
ponderously
advIn a slow, clumsy, or laborious manner because of great weight or size.
pondweed
nA plant that grows in ponds and slow-moving streams.
pone
[noun]A baked or fried cornbread, often unsweetened, of Native American origin.
pong
nA short, sharp, hollow sound like something hitting a hard surface.
pontiff
nThe Pope, the Bishop of Rome as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
pontifical
adjrelating to or characteristic of a pontiff, especially the pope
pontificate
vTo speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way.
pontoon
nA flat-bottomed boat or hollow structure used to support a temporary bridge or floating platform.
pony
nA small breed of horse.
pony-tailed
adjHaving hair tied in a ponytail.
ponytail
nA hairstyle in which the hair is drawn back and tied at the back of the head so that it hangs down like a horse's tail.
poo
nA child's word for excrement
pooch
nA dog, especially one of mixed breed or a dog whose breed is not known.
poodle
na breed of dog with thick curly hair that is often clipped in a decorative pattern.
poof
interjUsed to represent a sudden disappearance or a puff of smoke or air.
poofy
adj(of hair, fabric, etc.) having a soft, light, and rounded appearance; fluffy or puffed out.
pooh-pooh
vto express contempt for or dismiss something as foolish or unimportant
pool
nA small area of still water, especially one that has formed naturally.
pooled
adjCombined or collected into a common fund or supply for shared use by a group.
pooling
nThe act of combining resources, money, information, etc. for shared use by a group.
poolroom
nA room where the game of pool is played.
poolside
nThe area immediately adjacent to a swimming pool.
poop
nSolid waste from the bowels; feces.
pooped
adj(informal) extremely tired; exhausted
poopy
adj(informal) Soiled with or smelling of excrement.
poor
adjhaving very little money; not having enough money for basic needs
poor-performing
adjachieving results that are below an acceptable or expected standard
poor-quality
adjof a low or inferior standard
poorhouse
na house where very poor people in the past were sent to live and were given food and work, paid for by the public
poorly
advIn an unsatisfactory or inadequate manner.
pop
vto make a short, sharp, explosive sound
pop-art
nA style of art, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, that uses images and objects from popular culture and advertising, often in a humorous or ironic way.
pop-cultural
adjRelating to or characteristic of popular culture.
pop-culture
nThe commercial culture based on popular taste, encompassing mass-produced entertainment, media, fashion, and trends.
pop-eyed
adjHaving eyes that are wide open with surprise, excitement, or astonishment.
pop-music
nA type of music, usually recorded, with strong rhythmic patterns and simple tunes, that is popular with many people.
pop-out
adjDesigned to be easily removed or detached, often by being pushed outward.
pop-rock
na style of popular music that combines elements and appeal of pop music with rock and roll instrumentation and attitude.
pop-up
adjDescribing something that appears or operates quickly and often temporarily.
popcorn
na type of corn that bursts open and puffs up when heated.
pope
nthe leader of the roman catholic church, who is also the bishop of rome.
popery
nThe beliefs, practices, and system of government associated with the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church, often used in a derogatory or hostile way by opponents.
poplar
nA tall, thin tree with triangular leaves that tremble in the wind, often grown for its wood or for decoration.
poplin
nA strong plain-woven fabric, typically of cotton, with a corded surface.
popliteal
adjRelating to or situated in the hollow area at the back of the knee.
popover
nA light, hollow muffin made from a thin batter that puffs up high during baking.
poppa
nAn informal term for father.
popped
vMade a short, sharp, explosive sound
popper
nA small device or container that makes a popping sound, such as a toy or a utensil for popping corn.
poppet
nA small figure of a human being used in sorcery and witchcraft.
popping
adjMaking a short, sharp, explosive sound
poppy
nA plant with large, delicate flowers that are typically red and have black seeds, or the flower itself.
poppy-seed
nThe small, round, black or grey seed of the poppy plant, used as a flavouring and decoration in baking.
poppycock
nnonsense; foolish talk.
popsicle
na piece of flavored ice or ice cream on a stick.
populace
nthe ordinary people who live in a particular country or place
popular
adjliked, admired, or enjoyed by many people or by a particular person or group
popularity
nThe state of being liked, admired, or supported by many people.
popularization
nThe act of making something liked, known, or available to many people.
popularize
vTo make something liked, admired, or used by many people.
popularized
vTo make something liked, admired, or used by many people.
popularizer
nA person who makes something, especially a complex subject or idea, accessible and appealing to the general public.
popularly
advBy most people; generally.
populate
vto live in an area and form its population
populated
adj(of a place) having inhabitants; lived in.
population
nAll the people who live in a particular area, city, or country
population-based
adj(of a study, policy, or approach) relating to or involving an entire population or a large, defined group of people.
population-control
nThe official policy or practice of managing the rate of growth and size of a population, especially by limiting the number of births.
populism
nA type of politics that claims to represent the opinions and wishes of ordinary people, often by contrasting them with an elite.
populist
nA person, especially a politician, who claims to represent the interests and opinions of ordinary people.
populous
adj(of a country, region, or place) having a large population; densely populated.
porcelain
nA hard, white, translucent ceramic material made by firing a pure clay and then often glazing and decorating it.
porch
nA covered shelter projecting in front of the entrance of a building.
porcine
adjRelating to or resembling pigs or swine.
porcupine
nA large rodent covered with long, sharp, protective spines or quills.
pore
nA very small opening in the skin of a person or animal, or on the surface of a plant, through which liquids or gases can pass.
pork
nthe meat from a pig, especially when not cured or processed.
pork-barrel
nThe use of government funds for projects designed to please voters or legislators and win votes.
porker
na young pig raised and fattened for food.
porkpie
nA savory pie with a filling of seasoned chopped pork.
porky
adjResembling or characteristic of pork; fat or fleshy.
porn
nSexually explicit material intended to cause sexual excitement.
porno
nPornography; sexually explicit material.
pornographer
na person who produces or sells pornographic material.
pornographic
adjdescribing or showing sexual acts in a way that is intended to cause sexual excitement.
pornography
nBooks, magazines, films, etc. that are designed to cause sexual excitement by showing naked people or sexual acts.
porosity
nThe state or quality of being porous; having many small holes that allow liquid or air to pass through.