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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)

humbucker
nounC2
/ˈhʌmˌbʌkə/A type of pickup for an electric guitar that uses two coils wound in opposition to cancel out or 'buck' mains hum (electromagnetic interference).
humbug
interjectionnounverb+2low
/ˈhʌm.bʌɡ/deception or false talk intended to gain an advantage or impress others; nonsense.
humbuggery
nounLow (C2 level vocabulary, literary/formal register)
/hʌmˈbʌɡəri/Deceptive or false talk or behaviour; pretence or nonsense intended to deceive.
humdinger
nounC1
/ˌhʌmˈdɪŋ.ər/An excellent or remarkable person or thing.
humdrum
adjectivenounC1
/ˈhʌmdrʌm/Lacking excitement or variety; boringly monotonous.
hume
nounVery Low
/hjuːm/To think, reflect, or ponder deeply; to be absorbed in thought. (Now archaic and largely poetic/literary).
hume's law
nounLow
/ˈhjuːmz ˌlɔː/A philosophical principle stating that one cannot logically derive an 'ought' (a moral prescription) from an 'is' (a factual description).
humectant
adjectivenounC1/C2
/hjuːˈmɛkt(ə)nt/A substance, often hygroscopic (water-attracting), that promotes the retention of moisture; a moisturizing agent.
humeral veil
nounVery Low
/ˌhjuːmərəl ˈveɪl/A long, scarf-like vestment worn around the shoulders by a priest, deacon, or subdeacon during liturgical ceremonies to cover the hands when handling sacred vessels.
humerus
nounLow (C2/Professional)
/ˈhjuː.mər.əs/The long bone in the upper arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow.
humic acid
nounC1/C2
/ˌhjuː.mɪk ˈæs.ɪd/A complex mixture of organic acids formed by the decomposition of plant and animal matter in soil, peat, and coal.
humicole
nounVery low
/ˈhjuːmɪkəʊl/An organism that grows on or in soil.
humidex
nounLow
/ˈhjuːmɪdɛks/A Canadian-originated combined measure of temperature and humidity used to describe how hot the weather feels.
humidifier
nounB2
/hjuːˈmɪdɪfaɪə(r)/An electrical appliance that adds moisture to the air in a room or building.
humidify
verbverb-transitiveC1
/hjuːˈmɪdɪfaɪ/to add moisture to the air or a gas.
humidistat
nounC2
/hjuːˈmɪdɪstat/A device that measures and regulates humidity.
humidity
nounB1
/hjuːˈmɪd.ə.ti/The amount of water vapor present in the air.
humidor
nounC1-C2 / Low-frequency specialized term
/ˈhjuː.mɪ.dɔː(r)/A specially designed storage container or room with controlled humidity, primarily used to keep cigars, tobacco, or certain foods in optimal condition.
humification
nounC2
/ˌhjuːmɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/The process by which organic matter breaks down to form humus, a dark, nutrient-rich component of soil.
humify
verbRare/Technical
/ˈhjuːmɪfaɪ/To convert organic matter into humus through decomposition.

Showing 5101–5120 of 5990 words.