Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with S
Showing words 3,121–3,240 of 6,394. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
slow-moving
adjmoving or acting at a low speed
slow-paced
adjproceeding at a relaxed or unhurried speed; not fast or rushed.
slow-pitch
nA modified version of softball in which the ball is pitched underhand at a slow, high-arcing speed to make it easier to hit.
slow-release
adjDesigned to release an active substance (such as a drug or fertilizer) gradually over an extended period.
slow-roasted
adj(of food) cooked slowly in an oven at a low temperature
slow-speed
adjDesigned for, operating at, or characterized by a low rate of speed.
slow-twitch
adjRelating to or denoting muscle fibers that contract slowly, are resistant to fatigue, and are used in sustained, low-intensity activity.
slow-wave
nA type of brain wave, especially in sleep, characterized by a low frequency and high amplitude.
slow-witted
adjnot quick to understand or learn; lacking intelligence or mental sharpness.
slowdown
na reduction in speed, amount, or activity
slowed-down
adjhaving been made slower or less active
slower
adjcomparative form of slow: moving or happening at a lower speed
slower-growing
adjdeveloping or increasing at a reduced rate compared to something else
slower-moving
adjmoving or capable of moving at a low speed; not fast.
slower-paced
adjproceeding or moving at a less rapid speed; having a reduced tempo or rate of activity.
slowing
v(present participle of slow) moving or happening at a low speed or rate; causing something to reduce its speed.
slowly
advAt a slow speed; not quickly.
slowness
nThe quality or state of being slow; a lack of speed.
slowpoke
na person who acts, moves, or works slowly.
sludge
nthick, soft, wet mud or a substance that looks like it
sludgy
adjhaving the thick, wet, sticky consistency of sludge
slue
vTo turn or slide violently or uncontrollably in a particular direction.
slug
nDefinition 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.
slugfest
nA long and intense fight or contest, especially a boxing match with many hard punches.
sluggard
na lazy, slow, or idle person
slugger
nA baseball player who hits the ball hard, especially one who hits many home runs.
slugging
nThe act of hitting someone or something hard, especially in boxing or baseball.
sluggish
adjmoving or operating more slowly than usual and with less energy or power
sluggishly
advin a slow, lazy, or reluctant manner; lacking energy or speed.
sluggishness
nthe quality or state of being slow-moving or inactive
sluice
nan artificial channel for carrying water, fitted with a gate (a sluice gate) to control the flow.
slum
nA poor and crowded area of a city where the buildings are in bad condition.
slumber
vTo sleep lightly and peacefully
slumbering
adjBeing in a state of sleep
slumlord
nA landlord who owns and profits from poorly maintained, overcrowded, and often unsafe rental properties, typically in slum areas.
slump
vTo fall or sink suddenly and heavily
slump-shouldered
adjHaving shoulders that are bent forward and downward, giving an appearance of dejection, weariness, or defeat.
slumping
v(present participle) To suddenly fall or decline greatly in value, amount, or quality
slur
vto pronounce words in a way that is unclear so that they run into each other, often because one is drunk or tired.
slurp
vto eat or drink something noisily, especially by sucking it in quickly
slurpee
na flavored, semi-frozen soft drink sold in a cup and consumed with a straw.
slurping
verb (present participle/gerund)To eat or drink something noisily by sucking it in quickly.
slurpy
adjmaking a soft sucking or sloshing sound, especially while eating or drinking.
slurred
adjspoken unclearly, with the sounds running into each other
slurring
vspeaking unclearly so that sounds or words run into one another.
slurry
na semi-liquid mixture, typically of fine particles of a solid substance (such as cement, coal, or manure) suspended in water or another liquid.
slush
npartially melted snow or ice.
slushy
adjResembling, consisting of, or covered with slush (partially melted snow or ice).
slut
nA woman who has many casual sexual partners.
slutty
adj(of a woman or her clothes) sexually provocative in a way that is considered vulgar or tasteless.
sly
adjclever at deceiving people in a way that is often considered dishonest or cunning.
slyly
advin a cunning and deceitful way
slyness
nthe quality of being clever at deceiving people in a secret or dishonest way.
smack
vto hit someone or something forcefully with the flat inside part of your hand, making a short loud sound.
smacker
na loud kiss
smacking
adj(informal) Very or exactly like something; having a strong suggestion of a particular quality.
small
adjof a size that is less than normal or usual
small-arm
na portable firearm, such as a pistol or rifle, held in the hand or hands when fired.
small-block
nA type of compact internal combustion engine, typically a V8, characterized by its relatively small cylinder bore diameter and overall dimensions.
small-boat
nA boat of small size, typically one used for recreation, fishing, or short-distance travel on inland or coastal waters.
small-boned
adjhaving a light and delicate bone structure; having small bones.
small-bore
adjhaving a small internal diameter, especially of a gun barrel
small-budget
adjInvolving or made with a limited amount of money
small-business
adjRelating to or being a company of limited size, scope, or influence, typically independently owned and operated.
small-caliber
adjof, relating to, or being a firearm with a relatively small diameter of bore
small-cap
adjRelating to or being the stock of a company with a relatively small market capitalization.
small-car
nA compact automobile, typically smaller than a standard sedan.
small-college
adjRelating to, characteristic of, or suitable for a small college.
small-company
nA business enterprise with a relatively low number of employees, limited revenue, and a small market share.
small-diameter
adjhaving a relatively small distance across the center; of a narrow width or thickness.
small-ensemble
adjRelating to or designed for a small group of musicians or performers, typically fewer than ten.
small-firm
adjRelating to or characteristic of a small business or company.
small-government
adjRelating 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.
small-group
adjInvolving or designed for a small number of people, typically for discussion, instruction, or activity.
small-market
adjRelating to or characteristic of a market of limited size or scope, often implying lower volume, fewer participants, or a niche focus.
small-minded
adjHaving a narrow perspective and being unwilling to consider new or different ideas; petty and intolerant.
small-mindedness
nthe quality or state of having a narrow, prejudiced, or intolerant outlook.
small-scale
adjLimited in size, extent, or scope; not large or extensive.
small-school
adjRelating to or characteristic of a school with a small number of students, often implying a more intimate, personalized, or community-focused educational environment.
small-screen
adjrelating to or designed for television, as opposed to cinema or the stage.
small-sized
adjOf a size that is less than average or usual.
small-time
adjof little importance or significance; minor or petty, especially in business or crime.
small-town
adjof, relating to, or characteristic of a small town, especially in being unsophisticated, narrow-minded, or provincial
smaller-scale
adjof a reduced or more limited size, extent, or scope compared to something larger.
smallholder
na person who owns or rents a small piece of land for farming.
smallish
adjSomewhat small; fairly small.
smallmouth
na freshwater bass (Micropterus dolomieu) of eastern north america, typically having a relatively small mouth.
smallness
nthe quality or state of being small in size, amount, or degree.
smallpox
na serious infectious disease that causes a high fever and leaves permanent marks on the skin.
smarmy
adjexcessively flattering or ingratiating in an insincere way.
smart
adjIntelligent and able to think and understand quickly
smart-aleck
na person who tries to seem clever by making annoying remarks, answering questions rudely, etc.
smart-alecky
adjBehaving in a way that shows you think you are very clever, especially by making rude or funny remarks.
smart-ass
nA person who is irritatingly clever or sarcastic, especially one who makes rude or condescending remarks to show off their knowledge.
smart-card
nA plastic card with a built-in microprocessor chip, used to perform operations such as financial transactions, identification, or access control.
smartass
nA person who is irritating because they behave as if they know everything.
smarten
vto make something or someone look neater, tidier, or more stylish
smartly
advin a clever and effective way
smartness
nThe quality of being intelligent and quick to learn or understand things.
smartphone
na 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.
smarts
nintelligence and good judgment; practical knowledge and ability.
smarty
nA person who tries to appear clever or who makes clever remarks in a way that is annoying.
smarty-pants
na person who acts as if they know more than other people, especially in a way that is annoying
smash
vto break something violently into many pieces
smashed
adjBroken violently into pieces
smasher
na person or thing that smashes something.
smashing
adjextremely good, attractive, or enjoyable
smattering
na small, scattered amount of something, especially knowledge or information.
smear
vto spread a soft or sticky substance in a messy or careless way over a surface.
smeared
vCovered or marked with a greasy or sticky substance in a messy way.
smearing
nThe act of spreading a greasy, dirty, or sticky substance over a surface.
smeary
adjcovered with or having the nature of a smudge or smear; marked by streaks or smudges.
smell
vto perceive or detect the odor or scent of something through the nose
smelling
nThe act or process of perceiving odours
smelly
adjhaving a strong, unpleasant smell.
smelt
vTo melt ore in order to extract metal.
smelter
na person whose job is to smelt metal
smelting
nThe process of extracting metal from its ore by heating and melting it.
smidge
na very small amount or part
smidgen
na very small amount or part of something