Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with W
Showing words 961–1,080 of 1,518. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
wide-leg
adj(of trousers or jeans) having legs that are very wide from the hips or thighs to the hem.
wide-legged
adj(of a pair of trousers, shorts, or a stance) having the legs far apart at the bottom or cut with a very full shape.
wide-mouth
adjHaving a mouth or opening that is broad or large in width.
wide-mouthed
adjHaving a mouth that is wide or that opens wide.
wide-open
adjCompletely open; not closed or restricted.
wide-plank
adj(of flooring) made from or consisting of long, broad boards.
wide-ranging
adjCovering a large number of different subjects or areas; extensive.
wide-reaching
adjHaving a broad or extensive effect, influence, or scope.
wide-scale
adjInvolving many people or things over a large area; extensive.
wide-screen
adjRelating to or using a film or television picture with a width that is significantly greater than its height.
wide-set
adjHaving the eyes or other features set relatively far apart.
wide-shouldered
adjHaving broad or wide shoulders.
wide-spaced
adjHaving a relatively large amount of space between individual items or parts.
widely
advTo a large degree or extent; by many people or in many places.
widely-held
adjBelieved or accepted by a large number of people.
widen
vto become wider, or to make something wider
widened
verb (past tense and past participle)Made or became wider or more extensive.
widening
nThe act or process of making something wider, or the state of becoming wider.
widespread
adjexisting or happening over a large area or among many people
widgeon
nA freshwater duck with a round head and short neck, often having a colorful speculum on the wing.
widget
nA small device or mechanical object, especially one whose name you do not know or cannot remember.
widow
nA woman whose husband has died and who has not married again.
widowed
adjHaving lost one's spouse by death and not married again.
widower
na man whose wife has died and who has not married again
widowhood
nThe state or period of being a widow.
width
nThe measurement or distance from one side of something to the other; how wide something is.
wield
vTo hold and use a weapon, tool, or piece of equipment.
wielder
na person who wields or uses something, especially a weapon or power.
wiener
nA type of smoked sausage, typically made of beef and pork; a frankfurter or hot dog.
wife
na married woman considered in relation to her spouse
wife-beating
nThe act or practice of a man physically assaulting his wife.
wifely
adjcharacteristic of, suitable for, or like a wife.
wiffle
vTo blow or move with a light, intermittent, or unsteady motion, especially in the air.
wig
nAn artificial covering of hair for the head, worn to conceal baldness, for theatrical or ceremonial purposes, or as part of a costume.
wigeon
nA medium-sized freshwater duck with mainly reddish-brown and gray plumage, the male having a distinctive creamy-yellow forehead.
wiggle
vto move with short, quick movements from side to side or up and down
wiggler
na person or thing that wiggles, especially a child who cannot keep still.
wiggling
adjMaking small, quick movements from side to side or up and down.
wiggly
adjHaving a twisting, curving, or undulating shape or motion.
wiggy
adj(informal) Crazy, eccentric, or irrational.
wigwag
vTo move back and forth or to and fro.
wigwam
na dome-shaped or conical dwelling traditionally made by fastening bark, hides, or mats over a framework of poles, used by some indigenous peoples of north america.
wiki
nA website that allows collaborative editing of its content and structure by its users.
wild
adj(Of an animal or plant) living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated.
wild-card
nA playing card that can have any value or suit chosen by the player holding it.
wild-caught
adj(of an animal, especially fish) captured from its natural habitat rather than being bred in captivity.
wild-eyed
adjhaving eyes that are wide open and staring, especially as a sign of fear, madness, or extreme emotion.
wild-goose
adjUsed to describe a futile, pointless, or hopeless pursuit or task, often one that involves a long and complicated search.
wild-haired
adjHaving untidy, unkempt, or wildly disheveled hair.
wild-looking
adjHaving an untamed, fierce, or unconventional appearance.
wild-type
adj(of an organism or gene) having the form or characteristics that are most common in nature and are considered the standard or normal state, as opposed to a mutant form.
wildcat
na small or medium-sized wild feline, such as a lynx or bobcat.
wildcatter
nA person who drills wells for oil or gas in areas not known to be productive.
wildebeest
na large african antelope with a long head and a beard and mane, noted for its annual migration in large herds.
wilderness
na wild, uncultivated, and uninhabited region.
wildfire
nA large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush.
wildflower
nA flowering plant that grows in the wild, not intentionally planted by humans.
wildland
nan area of land that is in a natural state, not used for farming or built on by people.
wildlife
nAnimals, birds, and plants living in their natural environment, not controlled by people.
wildly
advin an uncontrolled, unrestrained, or extreme manner
wildness
nthe quality or state of being wild, uncontrolled, or not civilized.
wildwood
nAn ancient or uncultivated forest; a wood that has grown naturally and is untouched by human management.
wile
na trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive.
wilful
adj(of something bad or wrong) done deliberately, despite knowing it is wrong
wilfully
advin a way that shows a deliberate and stubborn desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, regardless of the consequences.
will
modalUsed to talk about what is going to happen in the future, especially things that you are certain about or things that are planned
willful
adjDeliberately doing something bad or wrong; intentional.
willfully
advIn a deliberate and obstinate manner, often knowing one's actions are wrong or unreasonable.
willfulness
nThe quality of being determined to do what you want, without caring about what others think or want.
willing
adjready, eager, or prepared to do something
willingly
advin a way that shows you are happy or ready to do something without being forced or persuaded
willingness
nthe quality of being prepared to do something; readiness.
willow
nA type of tree with long, thin branches and narrow leaves, often growing near water.
willowy
adj(of a person) tall, slender, and graceful
willpower
nthe ability to control your thoughts and actions in order to achieve something or to stop yourself from doing something
willy-nilly
advwhether desired or not; without order or planning; in a haphazard or disorganized manner.
wilsonian
adjRelating to or characteristic of the political ideas or policies of US President Woodrow Wilson, especially concerning national self-determination and international cooperation.
wilt
v(of a plant or flower) to become weak, bend over, and start to die, usually because it needs water or is too warm.
wilted
adj(Of a plant, leaf, or flower) limp and drooping, typically due to heat, loss of water, or disease.
wilting
adj(of a plant, leaf, or flower) becoming limp through heat, loss of water, or disease; drooping.
wily
adjskilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully; cunning.
wimp
nA person who is not strong, brave, or confident
wimple
nA cloth headdress covering the head, neck, and the sides of the face, formerly worn by women and still worn by some nuns.
wimpy
adjweak and lacking in courage or determination; feeble.
win
vto be the most successful in a competition, battle, or argument
win-loss
nA record of the number of wins and losses a team or competitor has achieved.
win-win
adjDescribing a situation, agreement, or outcome that is advantageous or satisfactory to all parties involved.
win-win-win
adjDescribing a situation, strategy, or outcome that is beneficial for three separate parties or on three distinct levels.
wince
vTo suddenly make an expression with your face that shows pain or embarrassment.
winch
na machine for lifting or pulling heavy objects, consisting of a horizontal cylinder around which a rope or chain is wound, turned by a crank or motor.
wind
nThe natural movement of air, especially in the form of a current blowing from a particular direction.
wind-borne
adjCarried or transported by the wind.
wind-chill
nA quantity expressing the perceived lowering of the air temperature caused by the wind, based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin.
wind-driven
adjPowered or propelled by the force of the wind.
wind-power
nElectrical power generated by using wind turbines.
wind-powered
adjusing the power of the wind to generate energy or operate machinery.
wind-resistant
adjDesigned or able to withstand strong winds without being damaged or moved.
wind-scoured
adj(of a landscape or surface) worn smooth, bare, or shaped by the abrasive action of wind-blown particles.
wind-tossed
adj(of a tree, person's hair, etc.) blown about violently by the wind
wind-tunnel
nA long, narrow chamber through which air is forced at controlled speeds in order to study the effects of airflow on objects such as aircraft or car models placed inside.
wind-up
nThe act of concluding or finishing something.
wind-whipped
adjBlown or lashed violently by the wind
windage
nthe effect of the wind in deflecting a missile such as a bullet or shell.
windbag
nA person who talks a lot, especially in a boastful or empty way.
windblown
adjCarried, shaped, or deposited by the wind.
windbreak
nA row of trees, a fence, or a wall that provides protection from the wind.
windbreaker
nA jacket designed to protect the wearer from the wind, typically made of a lightweight, wind-resistant material.
winded
adjTemporarily breathless, especially from physical exertion.
winder
na person or device that winds something, especially thread, yarn, or a watch.
windfall
nA large amount of money that is won or received unexpectedly.
winding
adjHaving a twisting, turning, or spiral course or shape.
windjammer
na large merchant sailing ship, especially one with multiple masts, used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
windlass
nA mechanical device, such as a winch, used for hauling or lifting, typically consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank or motor, around which a rope or chain winds.
windless
adjwithout wind; calm and still.
windmill
nA building or structure with parts (sails) that are turned by the wind, used in the past for grinding grain or pumping water.
window
nAn opening in a wall, door, or vehicle, usually fitted with glass, that allows light and air to enter and people to see out.
window-shop
vTo look at the goods displayed in shop windows without intending to buy anything.
windowed
adjHaving a window or windows.
windowless
adjHaving no windows.
windowpane
nA single sheet of glass in a window or door.