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English Words Starting With H

5,990 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

hetero
adjectivenounC1
/ˈhɛtərəʊ/A short, informal term for a heterosexual person.
heteroaromatic
nounTechnical / Low-Frequency
/ˌhɛt.ər.əʊ.ˌær.əˈmæt.ɪk/Describes a cyclic organic compound whose ring structure contains both carbon atoms and at least one non-carbon atom (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur) in the ring, and which displays aromatic character (stability and delocalised electrons).
heteroatom
nounC2
/ˌhetərəʊˈætəm/Any atom in an organic compound that is not carbon or hydrogen.
heteroauxin
nounVery low frequency
/ˌhɛtərəʊˈɔːksɪn/A specific, naturally occurring plant growth hormone (specifically indole-3-acetic acid or IAA) that regulates growth and development.
heterocarpy
nounVery Low (Specialized)
/ˌhɛtərəʊˈkɑːpi/The production of different types of fruit by the same plant or species.
heterochromatin
nounLow
/ˌhɛt.ər.əʊˈkrəʊ.mə.tɪn/A highly condensed and transcriptionally inactive form of chromatin in a cell nucleus.
heterochromosome
nounVery Low
/ˌhɛtərəʊˈkrəʊməˌsəʊm/A chromosome that differs significantly in size, shape, or staining properties from the other chromosomes in a complement; a sex chromosome.
heterochrony
nounLow (Technical/Specialist)
/ˌhɛtəˈrɒkrəni/A difference in timing, rate, or duration of developmental processes or events between different organisms, lineages, or structures.
heteroclite
adjectivenounC2/Rare
/ˈhɛt.ər.əʊ.klaɪt/Something that deviates from the common rule, type, or standard; irregular or anomalous.
heterocyst
nounVery Low
/ˈhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)sɪst/A specialized, thick-walled, nitrogen-fixing cell found in the filaments of certain cyanobacteria.
heterodactyl
adjectivenounVery Low / Obscure
/ˌhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)ˈdaktɪl/Having the toes arranged two in front and two behind, especially referring to the foot structure of certain birds.
heterodoxy
nounC2
/ˈhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)dɒksi/Opinions or doctrines that deviate from established or accepted beliefs, especially in religion.
heterodyne
adjectiveverbverb-intransitive+1C2
/ˈhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)ˌdʌɪn/To combine two different radio frequencies to produce a new frequency, typically for the purpose of detection or amplification in radio and electronics.
heteroecism
nounVery low
/ˌhɛtəˈriːsɪz(ə)m/The condition in which a parasitic fungus requires two different host plants to complete its life cycle.
heteroflexible
adjectivenounLow
/ˌhɛt(ə)rəʊˈflɛksɪbl/An adjective describing a person who identifies as primarily heterosexual but is open to occasional homosexual experiences or attractions.
heterogamete
nounVery Low
/ˌhɛtərəʊˈɡæmiːt/A gamete (sex cell) that differs in size, form, or function from the gamete it fuses with during fertilization; the counterpart to an isogamete.
heterogamy
nounC2
/ˌhɛtəˈrɒɡəmi/The union of two unlike gametes in reproduction.
heterogeneity
nounC1
/ˌhɛtərəʊdʒɪˈniːɪti/The quality or state of being diverse in character or content; consisting of dissimilar elements.
heterogenesis
nounVery Low
/ˌhɛt(ə)rə(ʊ)ˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/The alternation of generations, especially in some organisms, where offspring are different in form from the parent.
heterogony
nounVery Low
/ˌhɛtəˈrɒɡəni/The alternation of sexual and asexual generations in the life cycle of an organism.

Showing 2781–2800 of 5990 words.