English words starting with S

(of fish, frogs, etc.) to lay eggs

an animal, especially a fish, that produces or lays eggs.

to remove the ovaries of a female animal

To remove the ovaries of a female animal (spay) or the testicles of a male animal (neuter), typically to prevent reproduction.

An offensive term for a person who is physically clumsy or awkward, or who is perceived as lacking control, especially due to a neurological condition.

to say words, to talk to somebody, or to have a conversation

A place where alcoholic drinks were sold illegally in the US during the Prohibition era (1920–1933).

a person who speaks, especially in public

A person who has been chosen to be the next Speaker of a legislative body (such as the House of Representatives) but has not yet formally taken up the position.

a telephone or a feature of a telephone that allows both parties to be heard without holding the receiver, often used for conference calls.

the position, office, or term of a speaker, especially of a legislative assembly.

the action of conveying information or expressing one's thoughts and feelings in spoken language.

a weapon with a long wooden shaft and a sharp pointed tip, used for thrusting or throwing.

A device, such as an atlatl or woomera, used to increase the leverage and velocity of a thrown spear or dart.

A large marine fish of the billfish family, characterized by a long, pointed, spear-like upper jaw.

the sharp point of a spear

a common garden mint with pointed leaves and a strong, fresh flavor, used especially in cooking and for flavoring chewing gum and toothpaste.

A detailed proposal or plan for a project or activity.

Better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual.

Education designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities or exceptional abilities.

Relating to or designed for a particular, limited group, especially one seeking to influence government policy.

Designed, suitable, or reserved for a notable or important event.

Military or paramilitary activities conducted by specially designated, organized, trained, and equipped forces, often in unconventional or high-risk scenarios.

Military or paramilitary operations conducted by specially trained and equipped forces, typically in unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, or covert missions.

Made, supplied, or done to meet a particular customer's request, not as a standard item.

Designed, made, or used for one particular task or type of task.

The units of players in American football or Canadian football responsible for kicking, punting, and returning kicks, distinct from the offensive and defensive squads.

The process of concentrating on and becoming expert in a particular subject or skill.

To concentrate on and become an expert in a particular subject or skill.

Designed or developed for a particular purpose, function, or area of knowledge.

a person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field.

a particular field of study or professional work in which someone specializes

The process of concentrating on and becoming expert in a particular subject or skill.

to concentrate on and become expert in a particular subject or skill

Designed or developed for a particular purpose, activity, or area of knowledge.

For a particular purpose, person, or occasion.

The quality of being special, different, or unique.

a special area of work or study

A type of food that is considered high quality, unique, or characteristic of a particular region, culture, or producer.

The evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.

Money in the form of coins, especially those made from precious metals like gold or silver.

A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

Relating to or occurring at the level of an entire species, rather than at the level of individuals, populations, or higher taxonomic groups.

Containing or characterized by a large number of different species.

Relating to or characteristic of a single species.

Capable of being clearly identified, described, or defined.

Relating to one particular thing or type of thing, not general.

In a detailed and exact way.

A detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.

The quality of being specific, precise, or unique to a particular subject.

The particular facts or details about something.

Clearly and precisely identified, stated, or described.

To state something in an exact and detailed way.

An individual animal, plant, piece of a mineral, etc., used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display.

seeming to be right or true, but actually wrong or false

a very small spot, mark, or piece of something

A small spot or patch of color, especially one that is part of a pattern.

covered with many small marks or spots of a different color

An unusual or surprising event or situation that attracts attention.

Wearing spectacles or glasses.

Very impressive to look at; striking or dramatic.

in a very impressive, dramatic, or eye-catching manner

To watch an event, especially a sports event, as a spectator.

a person who watches an event, show, game, or activity, often as part of an audience

Relating to or characteristic of a spectator; observing rather than participating.

a ghost or phantom

An instrument that separates light or other radiation into its component wavelengths and records the resulting spectrum, typically as a photographic image or digital trace.

Relating to or made by a spectrograph; involving the production or analysis of spectrograms.

An instrument used for measuring the properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, used in chemical analysis to identify substances.

The measurement of the properties of light (or other electromagnetic radiation) as a function of its wavelength or frequency.

An instrument for measuring the intensity of light in a part of the spectrum, especially as transmitted or emitted by particular substances.

An instrument used for producing and observing spectra, especially for chemical analysis.

Relating to or using spectroscopy, the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.

A scientist who specializes in using spectroscopes to analyze the properties of light.

The branch of science concerned with the investigation and measurement of spectra produced when matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation.

A band of colors, as seen in a rainbow, produced by separation of the components of light by their different degrees of refraction.

Of, relating to, or having the properties of a mirror.

To form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.

The act of forming opinions or making guesses about something without having all the facts.

Based on conjecture or incomplete information; not fully factual.

in a way that involves thinking about what might happen or be true, rather than what is certain

A person who buys and sells goods, stocks, property, etc., hoping to make a profit from future price changes.

a medical instrument used to widen and hold open a body cavity or passage for examination.

the expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds.

Relating to or involving both speech and language, especially in the context of communication disorders, therapy, or development.

The technology or process by which a computer system identifies and processes spoken words.

the skill or activity of composing speeches to be delivered in public.

temporarily unable to speak, especially because of strong emotion or shock.

the state of being unable to speak, especially because of strong emotion.

a person whose job is to write speeches for a politician or public figure to deliver.

the rate at which someone or something moves or operates

To call a telephone number quickly by pressing a single button or using a short code that has been previously stored.

The constant speed at which light and other electromagnetic radiation travels in a vacuum, approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.

The sport or activity of racing on ice skates, typically around an oval track, with an emphasis on speed.

an increase in the rate at which something happens or is done

A mixture of a stimulant drug (such as cocaine or methamphetamine) and a depressant drug (such as heroin or an opioid), taken together.

A motorboat designed for high speed.

Made faster or happening more quickly

a person or thing that moves or operates at high speed.

in a fast or rapid manner; quickly.

the act of driving a vehicle faster than the legal limit.

A type of tight-fitting swimsuit or pair of shorts worn by men or boys, especially for swimming or other sports.

An instrument in a vehicle that measures and displays its speed.

A person or thing that moves or operates at high speed, especially a fast car or driver.

a special track for fast motor racing, especially for motorcycles.

done or happening quickly

the scientific study of caves.

To write or name the letters that form a word in correct order.

Holding your attention completely by being fascinating or very exciting

having your attention completely held by something, so that you cannot think about anything else

A person who spells words, especially in a particular way or in a competition.

The process or activity of writing or naming the letters of a word in the correct order.

A person who explores caves, especially as a hobby.

Of or relating to a style of handwriting characterized by its flowing, ornamental, and highly slanted cursive script.

to give money to pay for goods or services

A person who spends money, especially in a specified way.

The act of using money to pay for goods or services.

a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.

Having been used and therefore no longer new or usable.

Nuclear reactor fuel that has been used and is no longer efficient for producing energy but remains highly radioactive.