Browse by letter

English Words Starting With M

8,594 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

Filter

Parts of speech

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

minor scale
nounC1
/ˌmaɪ.nə ˈskeɪl/A diatonic scale, in Western music theory, with a pattern of intervals characterized by a minor third between the first and third notes, often associated with a melancholic or somber quality.
minor seminary
nounVery low
/ˈmaɪnə ˈsɛmɪn(ə)ri/A Catholic educational institution for high-school-age boys who are considering entering the priesthood.
minor sentence
nounC1/C2
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˈsen.təns/A grammatically incomplete but communicatively complete utterance that functions as a full sentence in context.
minor seventh chord
nounLow (Specialist)
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˈsɛv.ənθ kɔːd/A chord consisting of a root note, a minor third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh interval above the root.
minor suit
nounC2
/ˈmaɪ.nə ˌsuːt/In contract bridge, either of the two suits (diamonds and clubs) that are worth fewer points per trick than the major suits.
minor tenace
nounVery Low
/ˈmaɪnə ˈtɛnɪs/A defensive holding in bridge or whist consisting of the ace and queen, or the king and jack, of a suit, specifically a minor suit (diamonds or clubs).
minor term
nounLow
/ˈmaɪnə ˌtɜːm/In formal logic, the subject of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
minor tranquilizer
nounC2
/ˈmaɪnə ˈtræŋkwəlaɪzə/A medication that reduces anxiety and tension without causing significant sedation or impairment, typically from the benzodiazepine or similar classes.
minor triad
nounC2
/ˈmaɪnə ˈtraɪæd/In music theory, a three-note chord consisting of a root note, a minor third above the root, and a perfect fifth above the root.
minorca
nounC2 / Very Low Frequency / Niche
/mɪˈnɔː.kə/A breed of chicken originating from the island of Minorca (Menorca) in Spain, known for its large size, white face, and prolific egg-laying.
minorcan
adjectivenounC2
/mɪˈnɔː.kən/A person from the island of Minorca (Spanish: Menorca), one of the Balearic Islands, or relating to this island.
minorite
nounC2
/ˈmaɪ.nə.raɪt/A member of a religious order, specifically a Franciscan friar.
minoritize
verb-transitiveLow
/ˈmaɪ.nə.rɪ.taɪz/To make or treat a group of people as a minority, often in a social, political, or cultural context.
minority
adjectivenounB2
/maɪˈnɒr.ə.ti/The smaller number or part, especially a number or part representing less than half of the whole.
minority carrier
nounC2
/maɪˌnɒr.ə.ti ˈkær.i.ə/The less abundant type of charge carrier (electrons or holes) in a semiconductor material, which determines recombination dynamics.
minority group
nounHigh (in social/political contexts)
/maɪˌnɒrɪti ˈɡruːp/A smaller part of a population distinguished by race, religion, ethnicity, language, or other characteristics from the dominant group.
minority leader
nounC1
/maɪˌnɒr.ə.ti ˈliː.dər/The head of the political party with fewer seats in a legislative body.
minos
nounLow
/ˈmaɪ.nɒs/A legendary king of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa, known for his wisdom and as a lawgiver, and for constructing the labyrinth to contain the Minotaur.
minot
nounRare/Obsolete
/ˈmɪn.ət/To mumble; to mutter in a low, indistinct voice.
minotaur
nounC2
/ˈmaɪ.nə.tɔː/A mythical creature from Greek mythology, having the head of a bull and the body of a man.

Showing 5541–5560 of 8594 words.