Alphabetical word directory

English words starting with R

Showing words 2,0412,160 of 2,728. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.

rhumba

n

a ballroom dance of cuban origin, or a similar dance performed to latin american music.

[ˈrʌmbə]

rhyme

n

A short poem or song, especially for children, using words that end with the same sound

[raɪm]

rhymed

v

(of a word or line of verse) to have or end with a sound that corresponds to another.

[raɪmd]

rhyming

adj

Having or using the same or similar sounds, especially at the ends of words.

[ˈraɪmɪŋ]

rhythm

n

A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.

[ˈrɪðəm]

rhythmic

adj

having a regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements

[ˈrɪðmɪk]

rhythmical

adj

having a regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements

[ˈrɪðmɪkl]

rhythmically

adv

in a way that has a regular, repeated pattern of sound or movement

[ˈrɪð.mɪ.kəl.i]

rib

n

One of the curved bones that are connected to the spine and surround the chest.

[rɪb]

rib-eye

n

A cut of beef taken from the rib section, known for its tenderness and marbling of fat.

[ˈrɪb ˌaɪ]

ribald

adj

Referring to humor or language that is coarse, vulgar, or irreverent in a humorous way.

[ˈrɪb.əld]

ribavirin

n

An antiviral drug used to treat severe respiratory syncytial virus infection and, in combination with other drugs, hepatitis C.

[ˌraɪbəˈvaɪrɪn]

ribbed

adj

Having a pattern of raised lines or ridges.

[rɪbd]

ribbing

n

The act of making fun of someone in a good-natured way; teasing.

[ˈrɪbɪŋ]

ribbon

n

A long, narrow strip of fabric, used for tying things or for decoration.

[ˈrɪbən]

ribbon-cutting

n

A ceremony held to mark the official opening or completion of a new building, road, or other public facility.

[ˈrɪbənˌkʌtɪŋ]

ribbon-like

adj

Resembling a ribbon in form; long, thin, and flexible.

[ˈrɪbən laɪk]

ribboned

adj

Adorned or decorated with a ribbon or ribbons.

[ˈrɪbənd]

riboflavin

n

A vitamin of the B complex, found in eggs, liver, vegetables, and milk, essential for energy production and cell function.

[ˈraɪboʊˌfleɪvɪn]

ribose

n

A sugar that is a constituent of RNA and several vitamins and coenzymes.

[ˈraɪboʊs]

ribosomal

adj

Relating to or involving ribosomes, the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis.

[ˌraɪbəˈsoʊml]

ribosome

n

A minute particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins, found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells. They bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.

[ˈraɪbəsoʊm]

ribozyme

n

An RNA molecule capable of acting as a catalyst in biochemical reactions.

[ˈraɪboʊzaɪm]

rice

n

the small white or brown grains from a southeast Asian plant, used as food

[raɪs]

rice-growing

adj

Relating to or involved in the cultivation of rice

[ˈraɪsˌɡroʊɪŋ]

ricefield

n

A field where rice is grown.

[ˈraɪsfiːld]

ricer

n

A kitchen utensil with small holes through which soft food is pressed to produce strings or grains resembling rice.

[ˈraɪsər]

rich

adj

having a lot of money or valuable possessions

[rɪtʃ]

rich-field

adj

Relating to or denoting an area of land that is highly fertile or productive.

[ˈrɪtʃ fiːld]

rich-poor

adj

Relating to or characterized by the economic and social gap between wealthy and impoverished people.

[ˈrɪtʃ ˈpʊr]

rich-tasting

adj

Having a full, strong, and pleasant flavor, often due to high-quality or abundant ingredients.

[ˈrɪtʃ ˌteɪstɪŋ]

riches

plural noun

A large amount of money and valuable material possessions.

[ˈrɪtʃɪz]

richly

adv

In a rich, elaborate, or abundant manner.

[ˈrɪtʃli]

richness

n

the quality of existing in large amounts; abundance

[ˈrɪtʃnəs]

ricin

n

A highly toxic protein obtained from the castor oil plant, used as a poison.

[ˈraɪsɪn]

rickets

n

A disease of children caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, characterized by softening and deformity of the bones.

[ˈrɪkɪts]

rickety

adj

(of a structure or piece of equipment) poorly made and likely to collapse or break

[ˈrɪkɪti]

rickshaw

n

a small, light vehicle with two wheels that is pulled by one person on foot or riding a bicycle, used especially in parts of Asia for carrying passengers.

[ˈrɪk.ʃɑː]

ricochet

v

(of a bullet, stone, or other projectile) to rebound off a surface one or more times.

[ˈrɪkəʃeɪ]

ricocheting

v

(of a bullet, stone, or other projectile) to rebound one or more times off a surface.

[ˈrɪkəʃeɪɪŋ]

ricotta

n

A soft, white Italian cheese with a mild, slightly sweet flavor, made from the whey left over from the production of other cheeses.

[rɪˈkɑːtə]

rictus

n

A fixed grimace or grin, especially one that is unnaturally wide, as in an expression of pain or horror.

[ˈrɪktəs]

rid

v

To free someone or something from an unwanted or unpleasant thing or person

[rɪd]

riddance

n

the action of getting rid of or freeing oneself from something unwanted or unpleasant.

[ˈrɪd(ə)ns]

riddle

n

A question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in discovering its answer or meaning.

[ˈrɪd.l̩]

riddled

adj

Full of many holes, especially ones made by bullets or decay.

[ˈrɪdld]

ride

v

To sit on and control the movement of an animal, especially a horse, or a vehicle such as a bicycle or motorcycle.

[raɪd]

ride-on

adj

Designed to be ridden on, typically by a child, as a toy or vehicle.

[ˈraɪd ɑːn]

rider

n

a person who rides a horse, bicycle, motorcycle, etc.

[ˈraɪdər]

riderless

adj

having no rider; without a person riding on it.

[ˈraɪdərləs]

ridership

n

The number of people who use a public transportation system regularly.

[ˈraɪdərʃɪp]

ridge

n

A long, narrow raised part of a surface, especially along the top of a mountain

[rɪdʒ]

ridged

adj

Having a raised line or lines on the surface.

[rɪdʒd]

ridgeline

n

A long, narrow stretch of high ground along the top of a ridge.

[ˈrɪdʒlaɪn]

ridgepole

n

A horizontal beam along the ridge of a roof, to which the rafters are attached.

[ˈrɪdʒpoʊl]

ridgetop

n

The top or summit of a long, narrow hill or mountain range.

[ˈrɪdʒtɑːp]

ridicule

n

Unkind comments or actions that make someone or something look silly or stupid.

[ˈrɪdɪkjuːl]

ridiculed

v

to make someone or something seem silly or foolish, often in a cruel or mocking way

[ˈrɪdɪkjuːld]

ridiculous

adj

Deserving or inviting mockery; absurd and laughable.

[rɪˈdɪkjʊləs]

ridiculously

adv

In a manner that is so foolish, unreasonable, or extreme as to be amusing or absurd.

[rɪˈdɪkjələsli]

ridiculousness

n

The quality or state of being absurd, laughable, or deserving mockery.

[rɪˈdɪkjələsnəs]

riding

n

The sport or activity of riding horses

[ˈraɪdɪŋ]

ridley

n

a marine turtle of the genus *Lepidochelys*, especially the kemp's ridley or the olive ridley, which are among the smallest sea turtles.

[ˈrɪdli]

rifampin

n

An antibiotic drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis and other bacterial infections.

[ˈrɪfəmpɪn]

rife

adj

(especially of something undesirable) very common or widespread

[raɪf]

riff

n

A short repeated phrase in popular music or jazz, typically used as an introduction or refrain.

[rɪf]

riffle

v

To turn over papers, pages, or the leaves of a book quickly and casually.

[ˈrɪf(ə)l]

riffraff

n

people who are considered to be disreputable or worthless.

[ˈrɪfˌræf]

rifle

n

A gun with a long barrel that is designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a spiral pattern (rifling) cut inside the barrel to make the bullet spin and travel more accurately.

[ˈraɪfl̩]

rifled

adj

Having long, spiral grooves cut into the inner surface of the barrel of a gun to make a bullet spin and travel more accurately.

[ˈraɪfld]

rifleman

n

a soldier, especially in the infantry, whose main weapon is a rifle.

[ˈraɪf(ə)lmən]

riflery

n

the skill or practice of shooting with a rifle.

[ˈraɪfləri]

riflescope

n

An optical sighting device, typically a telescope, mounted on a rifle to assist in aiming.

[ˈraɪf(ə)lskoʊp]

rifling

n

The process of cutting spiral grooves on the inside of a gun barrel.

[ˈraɪflɪŋ]

rift

n

A crack, split, or break in something

[rɪft]

rig

v

To arrange or control something in a dishonest or unfair way for a particular purpose.

[rɪɡ]

rigatoni

n

A type of pasta in the form of short, wide tubes with ridges.

[ˌrɪɡəˈtoʊni]

rigged

adj

Arranged or set up in a dishonest or unfair way to produce a particular result.

[rɪɡd]

rigger

n

A person who rigs or sets up equipment, especially the ropes and sails on a ship or the cables and structures for lifting heavy loads.

[ˈrɪɡər]

rigging

n

The system of ropes, chains, and other gear used to support and control the masts, sails, and yards of a sailing vessel.

[ˈrɪɡɪŋ]

right

adj

Correct or true; in accordance with fact or reason.

[raɪt]

right-angle

n

an angle of 90°, as in a corner of a square

[ˈraɪt ˌæŋɡl̩]

right-angled

adj

having an angle of 90°.

[ˌraɪt ˈæŋ.ɡəld]

right-brain

adj

Relating to or involving the right hemisphere of the brain, often associated with intuitive, creative, and holistic thought processes.

[ˈraɪt breɪn]

right-brained

adj

using or involving the right hemisphere of the brain more than the left, typically associated with creativity, intuition, and holistic thinking.

[ˌraɪt ˈbreɪnd]

right-center

n

The part of a political spectrum or group that is between the center and the right wing; moderate conservatives.

[ˌraɪt ˈsentər]

right-click

v

To press the right-hand button on a computer mouse or similar pointing device, typically to open a contextual menu.

[ˈraɪt klɪk]

right-field

n

The part of the outfield to the right of the batter as they face the pitcher in baseball or softball.

[ˈraɪt fiːld]

right-hand

adj

located on or relating to the right side

[ˌraɪt ˈhænd]

right-handed

adj

Using the right hand more skillfully or in preference to the left hand.

[ˌraɪt ˈhændɪd]

right-hander

n

A person who uses their right hand more skillfully than their left, especially for writing or sports.

[ˌraɪtˈhændər]

right-leaning

adj

having political views that support traditional or conservative ideas and policies

[ˌraɪt ˈliːnɪŋ]

right-minded

adj

having sound principles and good judgement; thinking in a morally correct way.

[ˌraɪt ˈmaɪndɪd]

right-of-center

adj

(in politics) holding views that are between the center and the right, but not extremely conservative; moderately conservative.

[ˌraɪt əv ˈsentər]

right-of-way

n

the legal right to proceed ahead of other traffic or pedestrians

[ˌraɪt əv ˈweɪ]

right-side

n

The side or part that is on the right.

[ˈraɪt saɪd]

right-sided

adj

Located on or affecting the right side.

[ˌraɪt ˈsaɪdɪd]

right-thinking

adj

Having or showing opinions or beliefs that are considered morally good and acceptable.

[ˌraɪt ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]

right-to-die

adj

relating to or advocating for the legal right of a terminally ill person to refuse life-sustaining treatment

[ˌraɪt tə ˈdaɪ]

right-to-life

adj

Supporting the belief that a fetus has a right to be born, and opposing abortion and often euthanasia.

[ˌraɪt.təˈlaɪf]

right-to-lifer

n

A person who strongly opposes abortion and advocates for the legal protection of the rights of the unborn, typically on moral or religious grounds.

[ˌraɪt.t̬ə.ˈlaɪ.fɚ]

right-to-work

adj

relating to or denoting a US state law that prohibits union security agreements between employers and labor unions, meaning employees cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment.

[ˌraɪt tə ˈwɜːrk]

right-wing

adj

Supporting or relating to the political right; conservative or reactionary.

[ˌraɪt ˈwɪŋ]

right-winger

n

a person who supports the political right; a conservative or reactionary.

[ˌraɪt ˈwɪŋər]

righteous

adj

morally good; acting in a way that is considered morally right or justifiable.

[ˈraɪtʃəs]

righteously

adv

in a way that is morally right or justifiable

[ˈraɪtʃəsli]

righteousness

n

the quality of being morally right or justifiable.

[ˈraɪtʃəsnəs]

rightfield

n

The part of the outfield in baseball that is to the right of the batter as they face the pitcher.

[ˈraɪtˌfild]

rightful

adj

having a legal or moral claim to something, such as a title or property.

[ˈraɪt.fəl]

rightfully

adv

In accordance with what is just, proper, or legally correct.

[ˈraɪtfəli]

rightist

n

a person who supports the political views or policies of the right; a conservative or reactionary.

[ˈraɪtɪst]

rightly

adv

in accordance with what is correct, true, or just

[ˈraɪtli]

rightmost

adj

farthest to the right

[ˈraɪtmoʊst]

rightness

n

the quality or state of being morally or ethically correct.

[ˈraɪtnəs]

rights-based

adj

Founded on or derived from the concept of rights, especially human rights.

[ˈraɪts ˌbeɪst]

rightward

adj

On or toward the right side

[ˈraɪtwərd]

rigid

adj

not able to be changed or adapted; inflexible

[ˈrɪdʒɪd]

rigidity

n

The inability to be changed or adapted; a lack of flexibility.

[rɪˈdʒɪdəti]

rigidly

adv

In a strict, severe, or inflexible way.

[ˈrɪdʒɪdli]

rigmarole

n

A long, complicated, and annoying process or description.

[ˈrɪɡməroʊl]
English Words Starting with R – Page 18 | OpenEtymology