Alphabetical word directory

English words starting with S

Showing words 3,8413,960 of 6,394. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.

southside

n

the southern part of a city, town, or other area

[ˈsaʊθsaɪd]

southward

adj

moving, facing, or situated towards the south

[ˈsaʊθwərd]

southwest

n

the direction that is halfway between south and west

[ˌsaʊθˈwest]

southwesterly

adj

situated in or moving towards the southwest

[ˌsaʊθˈwɛstərli]

southwestern

adj

located in, towards, or coming from the southwest

[ˌsaʊθˈwestərn]

southwestern-style

adj

relating to or characteristic of a style, especially of cooking, decor, or architecture, that originates from or is influenced by the southwestern region of the united states.

[ˌsaʊθˈwestərn staɪl]

souvenir

n

An object that you keep to remind you of a place, an occasion, or a person; something you bring back for others.

[ˌsuːvəˈnɪr]

sovereign

n

A supreme ruler, especially a monarch.

[ˈsɑːvrən]

sovereignty

n

the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies.

[ˈsɑːvrənti]

Soviet

n

An elected local, district, or national council in the former USSR.

[ˈsoʊviət]

soviet-american

adj

Relating to both the former Soviet Union and the United States of America.

[ˌsoʊ.vi.ət.əˈmer.ɪ.kən]

soviet-backed

adj

Supported, financed, or controlled by the government of the former Soviet Union.

[ˈsoʊviət bækt]

soviet-bloc

adj

Relating to or characteristic of the group of communist nations of Eastern Europe and Asia aligned with the former Soviet Union.

[ˈsoʊviət blɑːk]

soviet-built

adj

Built by the Soviet Union.

[ˈsoʊ.vi.ət bɪlt]

soviet-designed

adj

designed or created in the soviet union.

[ˈsoʊviət dɪˈzaɪnd]

soviet-era

adj

Relating to or characteristic of the period when the Soviet Union existed (1922–1991).

[ˈsoʊviət ˌɪrə]

soviet-made

adj

Manufactured or produced in the former Soviet Union.

[ˈsoʊviət meɪd]

soviet-style

adj

Characteristic of, resembling, or imitating the principles, methods, or aesthetics associated with the former Soviet Union, especially its authoritarian government, centralized economic planning, or stark, utilitarian design.

[ˈsoʊviət staɪl]

sow

v

To plant seeds in the ground so that they will grow into plants.

[soʊ]

sower

n

A person who scatters seeds on the ground so that they will grow into plants, especially as a farmer.

[ˈsoʊər]

sowing

n

The act of scattering seeds on or in the earth so that they may grow.

[ˈsoʊɪŋ]

soy

n

A type of bean, originally from East Asia, that is used to make various foods such as oil, flour, and a sauce.

[sɔɪ]

soy-based

adj

derived from or containing soybeans as a primary ingredient or source.

[ˈsɔɪ beɪst]

soya

n

A type of bean, originally from Asia, that is used to make various foods including oil, flour, and a milk-like liquid.

[ˈsɔɪə]

soybean

n

a type of bean, originally from east asia, that is used as a food and for producing oil

[ˈsɔɪbiːn]

soymilk

n

A milky liquid made from ground soybeans and water, used as a beverage or in cooking.

[ˈsɔɪ.mɪlk]

spa

n

a place where people go to improve their health and relax, typically by having treatments such as massages and facials, and exercising.

[spɑː]

space

n

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

[speɪs]

space-age

adj

Very modern and technologically advanced, especially in a way that is reminiscent of the technology associated with space travel.

[ˈspeɪs ˌeɪdʒ]

space-available

adj

(of a service, fare, or ticket) offered or valid only if there is unsold capacity or unbooked space remaining after all full-fare or confirmed customers have been accommodated.

[speɪs əˈveɪləbl̩]

space-based

adj

Operating in or from space, especially from a satellite or spacecraft.

[ˈspeɪs beɪst]

space-borne

adj

Operating in or carried by a spacecraft or satellite.

[ˈspeɪs bɔːrn]

space-charge

n

The electric charge distributed throughout a volume of space, especially the cloud of electrons in a vacuum tube or the region of charge in a semiconductor.

[speɪs tʃɑːrdʒ]

space-faring

adj

Engaged in or designed for space travel

[ˈspeɪsˌferɪŋ]

space-related

adj

Connected with or concerning outer space or the area beyond Earth's atmosphere.

[ˈspeɪs rɪˌleɪtɪd]

space-saving

adj

designed to use less space or area than usual.

[ˈspeɪsˌseɪvɪŋ]

space-shuttle

n

A vehicle designed for repeated travel between the earth and space, used for carrying people and equipment.

[ˈspeɪs ˌʃʌt(ə)l]

space-station

n

A large artificial satellite designed to be a long-term base for astronauts and scientists to live and work in space.

[ˈspeɪs ˌsteɪʃn]

space-suited

adj

Wearing a spacesuit.

[ˈspeɪsˌsuːtɪd]

space-time

n

The four-dimensional continuum in which all physical events occur, having three spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension, and which is the fundamental framework of relativity theory.

[ˈspeɪsˌtaɪm]

spacecraft

n

a vehicle used for traveling in space.

[ˈspeɪskræft]

spaced

adj

Arranged with regular, empty areas between items.

[speɪst]

spaced-out

adj

Feeling confused and not aware of what is happening, often because of taking drugs

[speɪst ˈaʊt]

spaceflight

n

A journey made by a spacecraft into or through space.

[ˈspeɪsflaɪt]

spaceman

n

a person who travels in space, especially an astronaut.

[ˈspeɪsmæn]

spaceplane

n

A vehicle that can fly like an aircraft in the earth's atmosphere and operate like a spacecraft in outer space.

[ˈspeɪspleɪn]

spaceport

n

A complex of facilities for launching, receiving, and maintaining spacecraft.

[ˈspeɪspɔːrt]

spacer

n

a small object or piece of material used to create or maintain a space between two things.

[ˈspeɪsər]

spaceship

n

a vehicle used for travel in outer space.

[ˈspeɪsʃɪp]

spacesuit

n

a special protective suit that covers the whole body and has a supply of air, allowing a person to survive and move in outer space.

[ˈspeɪs.suːt]

spacewalk

n

an act or instance of moving and working outside a spacecraft in space.

[ˈspeɪs.wɑːk]

spacewalker

n

a person who moves outside a spacecraft in space; an astronaut who performs an extravehicular activity.

[ˈspeɪsˌwɔːkər]

spacing

n

The amount of space between printed words, lines of text, or other elements.

[ˈspeɪsɪŋ]

spacious

adj

(of a room or building) having a lot of space inside; large in size

[ˈspeɪʃəs]

spaciousness

n

the quality of having a lot of space; roominess

[ˈspeɪʃəsnəs]

spackle

n

A soft paste used to fill cracks and holes in walls and woodwork before painting.

[ˈspækəl]

spade

n

A tool with a sharp-edged, typically rectangular metal blade and a long handle, used for digging or cutting earth, sand, turf, etc.

[speɪd]

spadefoot

n

A type of toad characterized by a hard, spade-like projection on its hind feet, used for digging.

[ˈspeɪdˌfʊt]

spading

v

the present participle or gerund of the verb 'spade', meaning to dig, cut, or remove with a spade.

[ˈspeɪdɪŋ]

spaetzle

n

A type of soft egg noodle or dumpling of German origin, typically made from a simple batter and formed into small, irregular shapes.

[ˈʃpɛtsəl]

spaghetti

n

A type of pasta in long, thin strings.

[spəˈɡɛdi]

spaghettini

n

a type of pasta that is very thin and long, similar to spaghetti but thinner.

[ˌspɑːɡəˈtiːni]

spallation

n

a nuclear reaction in which a light nucleus, especially a proton or neutron, collides with a heavy nucleus, causing it to eject numerous other nucleons without forming a compound nucleus.

[spɔːˈleɪʃən]

spam

n

Irrelevant or inappropriate messages sent on the internet to a large number of users.

[spæm]

spammer

n

A person or organization that sends large amounts of unsolicited messages, especially advertisements, over the internet.

[ˈspæmər]

span

n

the length of time that something lasts or continues

[spæn]

spandex

n

A synthetic elastic fiber used especially in clothing

[ˈspændɛks]

spandrel

n

A roughly triangular space between the curve of an arch and the surrounding rectangular molding or framework.

[ˈspændrəl]

spangle

n

a small thin piece of shiny material, typically one of many sewn onto clothing for decoration.

[ˈspæŋ.ɡəl]

spangled

adj

covered with small, bright, shiny objects or spots.

[ˈspæŋɡəld]

Spaniard

n

A native or inhabitant of Spain.

[ˈspæn.jɚd]

spaniel

n

a type of dog with long ears and a silky coat, often used for hunting.

[ˈspænjəl]

Spanish

adj

Relating to Spain, its people, or its language.

[ˈspænɪʃ]

Spanish-language

adj

Of or relating to the Spanish language.

[ˈspænɪʃ ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ]

Spanish-speaking

adj

Using Spanish as a primary language; able to speak Spanish.

[ˈspænɪʃˌspiːkɪŋ]

spanish-style

adj

Having the distinctive characteristics, appearance, or qualities associated with Spain or its culture.

[ˈspænɪʃ staɪl]

spank

v

to hit someone, especially a child, with your open hand, usually on their bottom, as a punishment

[spæŋk]

spanker

n

A person who spanks, especially as a punishment.

[ˈspæŋkər]

spanking

adj

(informal) Very good, impressive, or fast

[ˈspæŋkɪŋ]

spanking-new

adj

completely new; brand new

[ˈspæŋkɪŋ ˈnuː]

spanner

n

A tool with a shaped opening or socket for gripping and turning a nut or bolt.

[ˈspænər]

spar

v

To make the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; to box, especially for practice.

[spɑːr]

spare

v

To choose not to punish or harm someone or something.

[sper]

spare-parts

n

Components kept in reserve to replace broken or worn-out parts of a machine or vehicle.

[ˌsperˈpɑːrts]

sparely

adv

in a plain, simple, or economical manner, without excess or decoration.

[ˈsperi]

spareness

n

the quality or state of being plain, simple, or not decorated

[ˈspernəs]

spareribs

n

a cut of meat, especially pork, consisting of ribs with most of the meat trimmed off.

[ˈsperˌrɪbz]

sparing

adj

Using or giving only a little of something; economical or restrained.

[ˈsperɪŋ]

sparingly

adv

in a restricted or economical manner; using or giving very little of something.

[ˈsperɪŋli]

spark

n

A very small fiery particle thrown off from a fire, or one caused by friction.

[spɑːrk]

sparker

n

A person or thing that produces sparks.

[ˈspɑːrkər]

sparking

v

(present participle) Emitting sparks of fire or electricity.

[ˈspɑːrkɪŋ]

sparkle

v

To shine brightly with small points of light

[ˈspɑːrkl]

sparkler

n

a handheld firework that emits a shower of bright sparks when lit.

[ˈspɑːrklər]

sparkling

adj

shining with small points of reflected light

[ˈspɑːrklɪŋ]

sparkly

adj

Shining with small points of flashing light; glittering.

[ˈspɑːrkli]

sparky

adj

lively, energetic, and high-spirited.

[ˈspɑːrki]

sparring

n

The act or practice of boxing, especially in a training session, without using full force.

[ˈspɑːrɪŋ]

sparrow

n

a common small brownish-grey bird found in many parts of the world.

[ˈspær.oʊ]

sparse

adj

Present only in small amounts or at large intervals; thinly scattered.

[spɑːrs]

sparsely

adv

in a sparse manner; thinly scattered or distributed.

[ˈspɑːrsli]

sparseness

n

the quality or state of being thinly dispersed or scattered; lack of density or crowdedness.

[ˈspɑːrsnəs]

sparsity

n

The state of being sparse or thinly distributed; the quality of being present only in small amounts or numbers.

[ˈspɑːrsəti]

spartan

adj

Very simple and without any comfort, or strict and severe in the way you live.

[ˈspɑːrtn̩]

spasm

n

a sudden uncontrolled and often painful tightening of a muscle

[ˈspæzəm]

spasmodic

adj

happening suddenly for short periods of time; not regular or continuous

[spæzˈmɑːdɪk]

spasmodically

adv

In a way that is not regular or continuous, but happens in sudden, brief, and intense bursts.

[spæzˈmɑː.dɪk.əl.i]

spastic

adj

Relating to or affected by muscle spasm

[ˈspæstɪk]

spastically

adv

in a manner characterized by sudden, involuntary muscle spasms or uncontrolled movements.

[ˈspæstɪkli]

spasticity

n

a condition in which muscles become stiff and tight, interfering with movement, often as a result of damage to the brain or spinal cord.

[spæˈstɪsɪti]

spat

n

A short, petty argument or quarrel.

[spæt]

spate

n

A large number of similar things coming in quick succession

[speɪt]

spatial

adj

Relating to the position, area, and size of things in space.

[ˈspeɪʃl]

spatial-temporal

adj

Relating to or involving both space and time.

[ˈspeɪʃl ˈtempərəl]

spatiality

n

The quality or state of relating to space or having spatial characteristics.

[speɪʃiˈæləti]

spatially

adv

in a way that relates to space, position, or area

[ˈspeɪʃəli]

spatio-temporal

adj

Relating to or existing in both space and time.

[ˌspeɪʃioʊ ˈtempərəl]

spatter

v

To scatter or fall in small drops or particles, especially of a liquid.

[ˈspætər]

spattering

n

The action or sound of a liquid falling or being thrown in small, scattered drops.

[ˈspætərɪŋ]

spatula

n

a kitchen tool with a wide, flat, usually flexible blade, used for lifting, spreading, or mixing foods.

[ˈspætʃələ]
English Words Starting with S – Page 33 | OpenEtymology