English Words Starting With D

• defend

  verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveB1
  /dɪˈfɛnd/To protect someone or something from harm, attack, or criticism.
• defendant

  adjectivenounC1
  /dɪˈfɛn.dənt/A person, company, or organization officially accused of a crime or sued in a civil court case; the party required to answer the complaint against them.
• defender

  nounB2
  /dɪˈfɛndə/A person or thing that protects someone or something from harm, danger, or attack.
• defender of the bond

  nounC2
  /dɪˈfɛndər əv ðə bɒnd/A specific official, typically in Roman Catholic canon law, appointed to argue against the validity of a proposed marriage annulment or dissolution.
• defender of the faith

  nounC2
  /dɪˈfendər əv ðə feɪθ/A title historically granted to a monarch who protects and supports the Christian faith, particularly referring to a specific royal title bestowed by the Pope.
• defenestrate

  verb-transitiveC2 (Very Low Frequency - Learned Vocabulary)
  /ˌdiːˈfɛnɪstreɪt/To throw someone or something out of a window.
• defenestration

  nounC2
  /ˌdiːfɛnɪˈstreɪʃ(ə)n/The act of throwing someone or something out of a window.
• defense

  nounverb-transitiveHigh
  /dɪˈfɛns/The action of protecting someone or something from harm, danger, or attack; the means or system by which such protection is provided.
• defense mechanism

  nounB2
  /dɪˈfens ˌmek.ə.nɪ.zəm/An unconscious psychological strategy used to protect oneself from anxiety, unacceptable thoughts, or feelings.
• defenseman

  nounLow
  /dɪˈfensmən/A player in ice hockey whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
• defensive

  adjectivenounC1
  /dɪˈfɛnsɪv/Intended or used to protect against attack, criticism, or unwanted consequences; showing a tendency to defend oneself.
• defensive architecture

  nounC1/C2
  /dɪˈfɛnsɪv ˈɑːkɪtɛktʃə/The design and placement of physical structures in public spaces explicitly intended to prevent or discourage certain behaviours, particularly loitering, rough sleeping, or skateboarding.
• defensive back

  nounMedium
  /dɪˈfensɪv bæk/A player in American football whose primary role is to defend against the opposing team's passing and running plays.
• defensive driving

  nounC1
  /dɪˈfɛnsɪv ˈdraɪvɪŋ/A style of driving focused on preventing accidents by anticipating hazards and the mistakes of other drivers, rather than merely following traffic rules.
• defensive medicine

  nounC1/C2
  /dɪˈfɛnsɪv ˈmɛd.sən/Medical practices performed primarily to avoid potential malpractice liability, rather than based solely on what is medically optimal for the patient.
• defensiveness

  nounB2
  /dɪˈfɛnsɪvnəs/A state of being overly ready to defend oneself against perceived criticism or attack, often manifesting as argumentative or self-protective behaviour.
• defer

  verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC1
  /dɪˈfɜː(r)/To put off or delay to a later time; to postpone.
• deference

  nounC2
  /ˈdef.ər.əns/Polite submission and respect, especially towards someone considered superior in status, age, or knowledge.
• deferent

  adjectivenounLow (C2)
  /ˈdɛf(ə)r(ə)nt/Showing deference; respectful, submissive, or yielding to the judgment, opinion, or wishes of another.
• deferment

  nounC1
  /dɪˈfɜːmənt/The act of delaying or postponing something, especially officially.

Showing 1481–1500 of 7181 words.