English words starting with P

To make something more powerful or effective, especially to increase the effect of a drug or a biological agent.

any of a genus (potentilla) of chiefly perennial herbs of the rose family with compound leaves and 5-petaled flowers.

An instrument for measuring an electromotive force by balancing it against a known potential difference.

In a powerful, effective, or convincing manner.

A person who frequently smokes cannabis.

a piece of thick material used to protect your hands when you hold a hot cooking pot or dish

a hole in the surface of a road caused by wear or weather.

Having many potholes

a person who hunts or searches for something, especially archaeological artifacts, primarily for profit or trophies rather than for scientific or historical study.

a drink that is believed to have magic powers, especially in stories

A ceremonial feast among certain Indigenous peoples of the northwest Pacific coast of North America, marked by the host's lavish distribution of gifts and sometimes the destruction of property to display wealth and status.

a meal, especially for a group of people, to which each guest brings a dish of food to be shared.

A savory pie consisting of a pastry crust filled with meat and vegetables, typically cooked in a pot.

a mixture of dried flower petals and spices, kept in a bowl to make a room smell pleasant.

a broken piece of ceramic material from an archaeological site.

A casual or random shot, especially one taken without careful aim.

A thick soup or stew, especially one made from vegetables, grains, and sometimes meat.

(of a plant) planted or grown in a flowerpot

To occupy oneself in a desultory but pleasant manner

Objects such as dishes, vases, and ornaments that are made from baked clay

The act or process of placing a plant in a pot for growth.

(informal) silly or slightly crazy

a small bag or soft container for carrying things, often forming part of a garment or piece of equipment.

A soft, low cushioned seat or footstool, often cylindrical or round in shape.

a soft, moist mass of material, typically consisting of bran, flour, herbs, or similar substances, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation.

Domestic fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, kept for their eggs or meat.

To suddenly spring or swoop in order to seize something.

a unit of weight equal to 16 ounces or 0.4536 kilograms

a charge or fee based on weight, especially so much per pound.

to hit something repeatedly with a lot of force, making a loud noise

A person or thing that pounds, crushes, or beats something.

the action or sound of something hitting a surface repeatedly and with great force.

to make a liquid or other substance flow from a container in a continuous stream, especially by holding the container at an angle

Describing concrete that is mixed to a fluid consistency and placed (poured) into formwork or molds to harden into its final shape.

(of rain) falling heavily

to push out your lips to show you are annoyed or to look sexually attractive

Having the lips pushed forward in a sulky or sexually alluring expression.

(of a person's mouth or expression) looking sullen or sulky, typically by thrusting out the lips.

The state of being extremely poor.

relating to or denoting an income that is at or below the official threshold defining poverty

suffering from extreme poverty; very poor.

A person who has been captured and is being held prisoner, especially a soldier in wartime.

A dry substance in the form of very small, loose particles.

Of a very pale, soft, and slightly greyish blue colour, like that of powdered smalt or certain types of laundry bluing.

Describing a metal object that has been given a protective or decorative finish by applying a dry powder and then heating it to fuse the coating.

Reduced to or covered with a fine, dry substance made up of tiny particles.

Consisting of or resembling a fine, dry substance made up of tiny particles.

The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.

Describing something that produces or generates power, especially electrical power.

The process or activity of producing electricity or other forms of energy.

The act or skill of hitting a ball, especially in baseball or cricket, with great force to make it travel a long distance.

having a very strong desire for power and control over other people

An overhead cable or wire carrying electrical power, especially one supported by poles.

Obsessively or dangerously obsessed with power and control.

Describing the state of an electronic device when its main electrical supply is switched on and it is operational.

A building or complex where electricity is generated on a large scale.

A political arrangement in which different groups, especially those who are in conflict or who represent different communities, agree to share responsibility for governing.

A device or system that provides electrical power to another piece of equipment.

A ratio expressing the relationship between the power output of an engine or motor and its weight, used as a measure of efficiency and performance, especially in vehicles and machinery.

A fast motorboat designed for racing or recreation.

Supplied with mechanical or electrical energy.

having great power, strength, or influence

having an appearance that suggests great strength, force, or authority

in a way that shows great strength, force, or effectiveness

a person, organization, or country that has a lot of power, energy, or influence

lacking strength or ability; unable to act or have an effect

the state or feeling of being unable to control or influence a situation; lack of power or effectiveness.

The people or groups who hold the real authority and control in a society, organization, or situation, especially when seen as remote or unresponsive.

The system in a vehicle that generates power and delivers it to the wheels or other driving mechanism, typically including the engine, transmission, driveshaft, axles, and differential.

a north american indian ceremony or council, often involving feasting and dancing.

Any disease that causes skin eruptions or pustules, such as smallpox or chickenpox.

the quality of being able to be done or used successfully; feasibility.

able to be done or put into practice successfully; feasible.

relating to real situations and actions rather than ideas or theories

having a sensible and realistic attitude that is focused on achieving results rather than on theories or ideas.

the quality of being suitable for a particular purpose or situation; usefulness.

in a way that is sensible and realistic, based on what is possible or effective rather than theories or ideas.

The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories about it.

skilled or proficient as a result of repeated exercise or experience.

actively engaged in a specified profession or activity

a course of study for a particular profession, especially one in medicine, teaching, or law, that involves working in a real environment to gain practical experience.

to do an activity or train regularly so that you can improve your skill

actively engaged in a profession, religion, or way of life

a person who regularly does a particular activity, especially one that requires skill or training.

of or relating to a roman praetor or the bodyguard of a roman emperor

dealing with problems in a sensible, practical way instead of strictly following a set of ideas

in a way that deals with problems and situations in a sensible, practical way based on what is achievable rather than theoretical considerations.

the branch of linguistics dealing with language in use and the contexts in which it is used, including such matters as deixis, the taking of turns in conversation, text organization, presupposition, and implicature.

a way of thinking or dealing with problems that emphasizes practical solutions and consequences over theories or principles.

a person who is pragmatic; someone who is practical and focused on achieving results rather than on theories or principles.

a wide, flat area of land in north america that is covered in grass and has few trees

to express strong approval or admiration for someone or something, especially in public

deserving praise; commendable.

A smooth, sweet substance made by boiling nuts in sugar, often used as a filling for chocolates or as a confection.

A small vehicle with four wheels for a baby to lie or sit in, pushed by a person walking.

(of a horse) to move with high, springy steps.

(especially of a horse) to move with high, springy steps

To crash or damage a vehicle, especially a car or aircraft.

A trick that is played on someone as a joke

Playfully mischievous; inclined to play tricks or practical jokes.

a person who plays tricks or practical jokes on people

To talk for a long time in a foolish or boring way, especially about unimportant things.

A fall onto the buttocks.

to talk for a long time about things that are silly or not important

A small sea creature with a shell and ten legs, that can be eaten. It is similar to a shrimp but larger.

practice, as distinguished from theory.

to speak to a god in order to express love, give thanks, or ask for something

the act of speaking to god, especially to give thanks or ask for help

a book containing the prayers and forms for the services of a particular church or religious tradition.

characterized by or given to praying; devout.

The present participle or gerund of the verb 'pray', meaning to speak to a god or deity, especially to give thanks or ask for help.

Relating to or occurring in the period before the year 1967.

Occurring, existing, or made before the year 1973.

Occurring, existing, or made before the year 1990.

(of an envelope or piece of mail) having the address already written or printed on it.

Relating to or characteristic of the period just before adolescence.

Having been approved in advance, especially before a formal application or process.

(of a product or component) manufactured and put together before being sold or delivered to the customer, so that it is ready for use with little or no assembly required.

Designated or allocated in advance.

Occurring or existing before birth.