English Words Starting With D

• desocialize

  verb-transitiveLow (C1-C2 level word). Primarily encountered in academic, technical, or formal writing.
  /diːˈsəʊʃəlaɪz/To remove or cause to lose the characteristics or habits acquired through living in a social environment; to make someone unsocial or isolated from society.
• desolate

  adjectiveverbverb-transitiveC1
  /ˈdes.əl.ət/ (adjective), /ˈdes.ə.leɪt/ (verb)Describing a place that is bleak, empty, and lifeless, often evoking a sense of utter loneliness or abandonment.
• desolation

  nounLow-Mid
  /ˌdɛs.əˈleɪ.ʃən/A state of complete emptiness, loneliness, and destruction, often with profound sadness.
• desorb

  verbverb-transitiveVery low / Specialized
  /dɪˈsɔːb/To release or remove (a substance) from a surface on which it is adsorbed or absorbed.
• desorption

  nounVery Low / C2
  /diːˈsɔːpʃ(ə)n/The process in which a substance (typically an adsorbed gas, liquid, or dissolved ion) is released from the surface of a solid or liquid material.
• despair

  nounverbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveB2
  /dɪˈspeə(r)/The complete loss or absence of hope.
• despatch

  verbverb-ambitransitiveC1
  /dɪˈspætʃ/To send something or someone to a particular destination or for a particular purpose.
• despenser

  nounVery Low
  /dɪˈspɛnsə/A historical variant of 'dispenser', historically referring to an official in charge of provisions or finances, especially in a royal household.
• desperado

  nounC2
  /ˌdespəˈrɑːdəʊ/A bold, reckless, or dangerous criminal, especially one who is armed and willing to use violence.
• desperate

  adjectivenounB2
  /ˈdɛsp(ə)rət/feeling or showing that you have little hope and are ready to do anything to change a situation, no matter how extreme, reckless, or dangerous.
• desperation

  nounC1
  /ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/A state of hopelessness that leads to reckless or extreme action.
• despise

  verbverb-transitiveC1
  /dɪˈspaɪz/To feel intense contempt for someone or something; to regard as unworthy, inferior, or worthless.
• despite

  nounprepositionverbverb-transitiveHigh-frequency
  /dɪˈspaɪt/A preposition expressing a surprising contrast between two things, meaning 'without being affected by' or 'in spite of' the given circumstance.
• despoil

  verbverb-transitiveC2
  /dɪˈspɔɪl/To steal valuable possessions from a place or person, especially by force; to plunder, strip, or rob.
• despoliation

  nounC2
  /dɪˌspəʊliˈeɪʃ(ə)n/The act of plundering, stripping, or robbing something of value.
• despond

  nounverbverb-intransitiveLow frequency (Literary/Formal)
  /dɪˈspɒnd/To become profoundly disheartened, discouraged, and lose hope or courage.
• despondency

  nounC1/C2
  /dɪˈspɒn.dən.si/a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.
• despot

  nounC1
  /ˈdɛspɒt/A ruler with absolute power who exercises that power in a cruel and oppressive way.
• despotic monarchy

  nounC2
  /dɪˌspɒt.ɪk ˈmɒn.ə.ki/A form of government where a single ruler (monarch) holds absolute, unrestricted, and often arbitrary power over the state and its people.
• despotism

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈdɛspətɪzəm/The exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.

Showing 2541–2560 of 7181 words.