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English Words Starting With M

8,594 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)

minocycline
nounLow frequency
/ˌmʌɪnə(ʊ)ˈsʌɪkliːn/A broad-spectrum antibiotic of the tetracycline class, used to treat bacterial infections.
minogue
nounVery Low (outside of direct reference to the famous bearer)
/mɪˈnəʊɡ/A surname of Irish origin, most famously associated with the Australian singer and actress Kylie Minogue.
minor
adjectivenounverb+1B2
/ˈmaɪ.nə(r)/Of lesser importance, size, or seriousness; secondary or comparatively small.
minor arcana
nounC2
/ˌmaɪnər ɑːˈkɑːnə/The smaller, non-trump cards in a tarot deck.
minor axis
nounC2
/ˈmaɪ.nər ˈæk.sɪs/In geometry, the shorter axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid, perpendicular to the longer major axis.
minor canon
nounVery Low Frequency (C2)
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˈkæn.ən/A clergyperson in a cathedral who is not a member of the chapter (the governing body), often responsible for daily liturgical duties such as saying prayers and assisting in services, but lacking the full authority and rights of a residentiary canon.
minor coin
nounLow
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˌkɔɪn/A coin of low denomination or value, often one that is not made of precious metal.
minor element
nounC1
/ˈmaɪ.nər ˈel.ɪ.mənt/A component or part that is small in quantity, importance, or influence within a larger whole.
minor key
nounB2
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˌkiː/A musical scale or mode, typically associated with a sad, melancholic, or somber mood.
minor league
nounB2
/ˈmaɪnə liːɡ/A professional sports league, especially in baseball, that is considered lower in skill, prestige, and financial resources than the major league; more broadly, any organization, competition, or level considered subordinate, less important, or of lower quality.
minor leaguer
nounLow-frequency (C2)
/ˌmaɪ.nə ˈliː.ɡə/A baseball player who plays in the minor leagues, a developmental level of professional baseball below the major leagues.
minor mode
nounC1-C2
/ˈmaɪ.nə məʊd/A musical scale or key that is based on a specific sequence of intervals, typically perceived as sad, melancholic, or serious in character. It is contrasted with the major mode.
minor order
nounLow
/ˈmaɪnə(r) ˈɔːdə(r)/A comparatively unimportant or insignificant detail, stage, or level within a hierarchy or sequence.
minor orders
plural-nounC2
/ˈmaɪnər ˈɔːdəz/The lower, non-sacramental ranks of clergy in the traditional hierarchy of some Christian churches, primarily Roman Catholic, preceding ordination to the major orders (subdeacon, deacon, priest).
minor party
nounB2
/ˈmaɪnə ˈpɑːti/A political party with a low level of electoral support and minimal representation in a legislature.
minor penalty
nounLow-medium (highly frequent in sports contexts, rare elsewhere)
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˈpen.əl.ti/A disciplinary punishment in ice hockey of a short duration, typically two minutes, during which the penalized player's team must play short-handed.
minor piece
nounB2-C1
/ˈmaɪ.nə piːs/In chess, a bishop or a knight, as distinguished from the more powerful rook, queen, and king.
minor planet
nounC2
/ˈmaɪnə ˈplæn.ɪt/A small celestial body orbiting the Sun, typically within the asteroid belt or beyond.
minor premise
nounRare/Technical
/ˌmaɪ.nə ˈprem.ɪs/In a categorical syllogism, the premise that contains the subject of the conclusion.
minor prophet
nounLow
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˈprɒf.ɪt/Any of the twelve shorter prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.

Showing 5521–5540 of 8594 words.