Alphabetical word directory

English words starting with S

Showing words 3,1213,240 of 6,394. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.

slow-moving

adj

moving or acting at a low speed

[ˌsloʊ ˈmuːvɪŋ]

slow-paced

adj

proceeding at a relaxed or unhurried speed; not fast or rushed.

[ˈsloʊˌpeɪst]

slow-pitch

n

A modified version of softball in which the ball is pitched underhand at a slow, high-arcing speed to make it easier to hit.

[ˈsloʊ pɪtʃ]

slow-release

adj

Designed to release an active substance (such as a drug or fertilizer) gradually over an extended period.

[ˌsloʊ rɪˈliːs]

slow-roasted

adj

(of food) cooked slowly in an oven at a low temperature

[ˈsloʊ ˌroʊstɪd]

slow-speed

adj

Designed for, operating at, or characterized by a low rate of speed.

[ˈsloʊ spiːd]

slow-twitch

adj

Relating to or denoting muscle fibers that contract slowly, are resistant to fatigue, and are used in sustained, low-intensity activity.

[ˈsloʊ ˌtwɪtʃ]

slow-wave

n

A type of brain wave, especially in sleep, characterized by a low frequency and high amplitude.

[ˈsloʊ weɪv]

slow-witted

adj

not quick to understand or learn; lacking intelligence or mental sharpness.

[ˌsloʊ ˈwɪtɪd]

slowdown

n

a reduction in speed, amount, or activity

[ˈsloʊdaʊn]

slowed-down

adj

having been made slower or less active

[sloʊd daʊn]

slower

adj

comparative form of slow: moving or happening at a lower speed

[ˈsloʊər]

slower-growing

adj

developing or increasing at a reduced rate compared to something else

[ˈsloʊər ˌɡroʊɪŋ]

slower-moving

adj

moving or capable of moving at a low speed; not fast.

[ˈsloʊ.ɚ ˌmuː.vɪŋ]

slower-paced

adj

proceeding or moving at a less rapid speed; having a reduced tempo or rate of activity.

[ˈsloʊər peɪst]

slowing

v

(present participle of slow) moving or happening at a low speed or rate; causing something to reduce its speed.

[ˈsloʊɪŋ]

slowly

adv

At a slow speed; not quickly.

[ˈsloʊli]

slowness

n

The quality or state of being slow; a lack of speed.

[ˈsloʊnəs]

slowpoke

n

a person who acts, moves, or works slowly.

[ˈsloʊpoʊk]

sludge

n

thick, soft, wet mud or a substance that looks like it

[slʌdʒ]

sludgy

adj

having the thick, wet, sticky consistency of sludge

[ˈslʌdʒi]

slue

v

To turn or slide violently or uncontrollably in a particular direction.

[sluː]

slug

n

Definition 1: a small, soft creature with a slimy body, no shell, and two pairs of feelers, that moves very slowly and often eats garden plants.

[slʌɡ]

slugfest

n

A long and intense fight or contest, especially a boxing match with many hard punches.

[ˈslʌɡfest]

sluggard

n

a lazy, slow, or idle person

[ˈslʌɡərd]

slugger

n

A baseball player who hits the ball hard, especially one who hits many home runs.

[ˈslʌɡər]

slugging

n

The act of hitting someone or something hard, especially in boxing or baseball.

[ˈslʌɡɪŋ]

sluggish

adj

moving or operating more slowly than usual and with less energy or power

[ˈslʌɡɪʃ]

sluggishly

adv

in a slow, lazy, or reluctant manner; lacking energy or speed.

[ˈslʌɡɪʃli]

sluggishness

n

the quality or state of being slow-moving or inactive

[ˈslʌɡɪʃnəs]

sluice

n

an artificial channel for carrying water, fitted with a gate (a sluice gate) to control the flow.

[sluːs]

slum

n

A poor and crowded area of a city where the buildings are in bad condition.

[slʌm]

slumber

v

To sleep lightly and peacefully

[ˈslʌmbər]

slumbering

adj

Being in a state of sleep

[ˈslʌmbərɪŋ]

slumlord

n

A landlord who owns and profits from poorly maintained, overcrowded, and often unsafe rental properties, typically in slum areas.

[ˈslʌmlɔːrd]

slump

v

To fall or sink suddenly and heavily

[slʌmp]

slump-shouldered

adj

Having shoulders that are bent forward and downward, giving an appearance of dejection, weariness, or defeat.

[ˈslʌmp ˌʃoʊldərd]

slumping

v

(present participle) To suddenly fall or decline greatly in value, amount, or quality

[ˈslʌmpɪŋ]

slur

v

to pronounce words in a way that is unclear so that they run into each other, often because one is drunk or tired.

[slɜːr]

slurp

v

to eat or drink something noisily, especially by sucking it in quickly

[slɜːrp]

slurpee

n

a flavored, semi-frozen soft drink sold in a cup and consumed with a straw.

[ˈslɜːrpi]

slurping

verb (present participle/gerund)

To eat or drink something noisily by sucking it in quickly.

[ˈslɜːrpɪŋ]

slurpy

adj

making a soft sucking or sloshing sound, especially while eating or drinking.

[ˈslɜːrpi]

slurred

adj

spoken unclearly, with the sounds running into each other

[slɜːrd]

slurring

v

speaking unclearly so that sounds or words run into one another.

[ˈslɝːɪŋ]

slurry

n

a semi-liquid mixture, typically of fine particles of a solid substance (such as cement, coal, or manure) suspended in water or another liquid.

[ˈslɝː.i]

slush

n

partially melted snow or ice.

[slʌʃ]

slushy

adj

Resembling, consisting of, or covered with slush (partially melted snow or ice).

[ˈslʌʃi]

slut

n

A woman who has many casual sexual partners.

[slʌt]

slutty

adj

(of a woman or her clothes) sexually provocative in a way that is considered vulgar or tasteless.

[ˈslʌti]

sly

adj

clever at deceiving people in a way that is often considered dishonest or cunning.

[slaɪ]

slyly

adv

in a cunning and deceitful way

[ˈslaɪli]

slyness

n

the quality of being clever at deceiving people in a secret or dishonest way.

[ˈslaɪnəs]

smack

v

to hit someone or something forcefully with the flat inside part of your hand, making a short loud sound.

[smæk]

smacker

n

a loud kiss

[ˈsmækər]

smacking

adj

(informal) Very or exactly like something; having a strong suggestion of a particular quality.

[ˈsmækɪŋ]

small

adj

of a size that is less than normal or usual

[smɔːl]

small-arm

n

a portable firearm, such as a pistol or rifle, held in the hand or hands when fired.

[ˈsmɔːl ɑːrm]

small-block

n

A type of compact internal combustion engine, typically a V8, characterized by its relatively small cylinder bore diameter and overall dimensions.

[ˈsmɔːl blɑːk]

small-boat

n

A boat of small size, typically one used for recreation, fishing, or short-distance travel on inland or coastal waters.

[ˈsmɔːl boʊt]

small-boned

adj

having a light and delicate bone structure; having small bones.

[ˈsmɔːl boʊnd]

small-bore

adj

having a small internal diameter, especially of a gun barrel

[ˈsmɔːl bɔːr]

small-budget

adj

Involving or made with a limited amount of money

[ˌsmɑːl ˈbʌdʒɪt]

small-business

adj

Relating to or being a company of limited size, scope, or influence, typically independently owned and operated.

[ˈsmɔːl ˌbɪznəs]

small-caliber

adj

of, relating to, or being a firearm with a relatively small diameter of bore

[ˌsmɔːl ˈkæləbər]

small-cap

adj

Relating to or being the stock of a company with a relatively small market capitalization.

[ˈsmɔːl kæp]

small-car

n

A compact automobile, typically smaller than a standard sedan.

[ˈsmɔːl ˌkɑːr]

small-college

adj

Relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for a small college.

[ˈsmɔːl ˈkɑːlɪdʒ]

small-company

n

A business enterprise with a relatively low number of employees, limited revenue, and a small market share.

[ˈsmɔːl ˈkʌmpəni]

small-diameter

adj

having a relatively small distance across the center; of a narrow width or thickness.

[ˌsmɔːl daɪˈæmɪtər]

small-ensemble

adj

Relating to or designed for a small group of musicians or performers, typically fewer than ten.

[smɑːl ɑːnˈsɑːm.bəl]

small-firm

adj

Relating to or characteristic of a small business or company.

[ˈsmɔːl fɜːrm]

small-government

adj

Relating to or advocating for a political philosophy that favors minimal state intervention in economic and social affairs, and a reduction in the size and scope of government.

[ˈsmɔːl ˌɡʌvərnmənt]

small-group

adj

Involving or designed for a small number of people, typically for discussion, instruction, or activity.

[ˈsmɔːl ɡruːp]

small-market

adj

Relating to or characteristic of a market of limited size or scope, often implying lower volume, fewer participants, or a niche focus.

[ˈsmɔːl ˌmɑːrkɪt]

small-minded

adj

Having a narrow perspective and being unwilling to consider new or different ideas; petty and intolerant.

[ˌsmɔːl ˈmaɪndɪd]

small-mindedness

n

the quality or state of having a narrow, prejudiced, or intolerant outlook.

[ˌsmɑːl ˈmaɪndɪdnəs]

small-scale

adj

Limited in size, extent, or scope; not large or extensive.

[ˈsmɔːl skeɪl]

small-school

adj

Relating to or characteristic of a school with a small number of students, often implying a more intimate, personalized, or community-focused educational environment.

[ˈsmɔːl skuːl]

small-screen

adj

relating to or designed for television, as opposed to cinema or the stage.

[ˈsmɔːl skriːn]

small-sized

adj

Of a size that is less than average or usual.

[ˈsmɔːl saɪzd]

small-time

adj

of little importance or significance; minor or petty, especially in business or crime.

[ˈsmɔːl taɪm]

small-town

adj

of, relating to, or characteristic of a small town, especially in being unsophisticated, narrow-minded, or provincial

[ˈsmɔːl taʊn]

smaller-scale

adj

of a reduced or more limited size, extent, or scope compared to something larger.

[ˈsmɑːlər skeɪl]

smallholder

n

a person who owns or rents a small piece of land for farming.

[ˈsmɔːlˌhoʊldər]

smallish

adj

Somewhat small; fairly small.

[ˈsmɔːlɪʃ]

smallmouth

n

a freshwater bass (Micropterus dolomieu) of eastern north america, typically having a relatively small mouth.

[ˈsmɔːlmaʊθ]

smallness

n

the quality or state of being small in size, amount, or degree.

[ˈsmɔːlnəs]

smallpox

n

a serious infectious disease that causes a high fever and leaves permanent marks on the skin.

[ˈsmɑːlpɑːks]

smarmy

adj

excessively flattering or ingratiating in an insincere way.

[ˈsmɑːrmi]

smart

adj

Intelligent and able to think and understand quickly

[smɑːrt]

smart-aleck

n

a person who tries to seem clever by making annoying remarks, answering questions rudely, etc.

[ˈsmɑːrt ˌælɪk]

smart-alecky

adj

Behaving in a way that shows you think you are very clever, especially by making rude or funny remarks.

[ˈsmɑːrt ˌæl.ki]

smart-ass

n

A person who is irritatingly clever or sarcastic, especially one who makes rude or condescending remarks to show off their knowledge.

[ˈsmɑːrt æs]

smart-card

n

A plastic card with a built-in microprocessor chip, used to perform operations such as financial transactions, identification, or access control.

[ˈsmɑːrt kɑːrd]

smartass

n

A person who is irritating because they behave as if they know everything.

[ˈsmɑːrtæs]

smarten

v

to make something or someone look neater, tidier, or more stylish

[ˈsmɑːrtn]

smartly

adv

in a clever and effective way

[ˈsmɑːrtli]

smartness

n

The quality of being intelligent and quick to learn or understand things.

[ˈsmɑːrtnəs]

smartphone

n

a mobile phone that can perform many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications.

[ˈsmɑːrt.foʊn]

smarts

n

intelligence and good judgment; practical knowledge and ability.

[smɑːrts]

smarty

n

A person who tries to appear clever or who makes clever remarks in a way that is annoying.

[ˈsmɑːrti]

smarty-pants

n

a person who acts as if they know more than other people, especially in a way that is annoying

[ˈsmɑːr.t̬i ˌpænts]

smash

v

to break something violently into many pieces

[smæʃ]

smashed

adj

Broken violently into pieces

[smæʃt]

smasher

n

a person or thing that smashes something.

[ˈsmæʃər]

smashing

adj

extremely good, attractive, or enjoyable

[ˈsmæʃɪŋ]

smattering

n

a small, scattered amount of something, especially knowledge or information.

[ˈsmætərɪŋ]

smear

v

to spread a soft or sticky substance in a messy or careless way over a surface.

[smɪr]

smeared

v

Covered or marked with a greasy or sticky substance in a messy way.

[smɪrd]

smearing

n

The act of spreading a greasy, dirty, or sticky substance over a surface.

[ˈsmɪrɪŋ]

smeary

adj

covered with or having the nature of a smudge or smear; marked by streaks or smudges.

[ˈsmɪri]

smell

v

to perceive or detect the odor or scent of something through the nose

[smɛl]

smelling

n

The act or process of perceiving odours

[ˈsmelɪŋ]

smelly

adj

having a strong, unpleasant smell.

[ˈsmeli]

smelt

v

To melt ore in order to extract metal.

[smɛlt]

smelter

n

a person whose job is to smelt metal

[ˈsmeltər]

smelting

n

The process of extracting metal from its ore by heating and melting it.

[ˈsmeltɪŋ]

smidge

n

a very small amount or part

[smɪdʒ]

smidgen

n

a very small amount or part of something

[ˈsmɪdʒən]
English Words Starting with S – Page 27 | OpenEtymology