English Words Starting With O

• occipital bone

  nounC1/C2
  /ɒkˈsɪp.ɪ.təl bəʊn/The bone at the lower back part of the skull, enclosing the foramen magnum (the opening for the spinal cord).
• occipital condyle

  nounC2
  /ɒkˈsɪp.ɪ.təl ˈkɒn.daɪl/One of two rounded, knuckle-like projections on the occipital bone at the base of the skull that articulate with the first cervical vertebra (atlas), forming the atlanto-occipital joint.
• occipital lobe

  nounC1
  /ɒkˈsɪp.ɪ.təl ləʊb/The rearmost part of each cerebral hemisphere, primarily responsible for visual processing.
• occiput

  nounC2
  /ˈɒk.sɪ.pʌt/The back part of the skull or head.
• occitan

  nounC2/Rare
  /ˈɒksɪt(ə)n/A Romance language spoken in southern France and parts of Italy and Spain.
• occleve

  nounExtremely rare
  /ˈɒkliːv/A proper noun; the surname of a historical person, Thomas Occleve (c. 1368–1426), an English poet and clerk.
• occlude

  verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveLow
  /əˈkluːd/to block or close off a passage or opening.
• occluded front

  nounLow
  /əˈkluːdɪd frʌnt/A weather front formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting the warm air mass completely off the ground.
• occlusion

  nounC1-C2
  /əˈkluː.ʒən/The blockage, obstruction, or closing of a passage, opening, or tube.
• occlusive

  adjectivenounC2
  /əˈkluːsɪv/1. (Adj.) Serving to close or block. 2. (N.) In phonetics, a consonant sound produced by completely blocking the airflow.
• occult

  adjectivenounverbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC1/C2
  /əˈkʌlt/Relating to mystical, supernatural, or magical powers, practices, or phenomena that are hidden from ordinary knowledge and perception.
• occult balance

  nounLow
  /əˈkʌlt ˈbæləns/A hidden, secret, or mysterious equilibrium between opposing forces.
• occultation

  nounLow
  /ˌɒk.əlˈteɪ.ʃən/The action or process of concealing or hiding something from view or knowledge.
• occulting light

  nounC2 - Very low
  /əˌkʌltɪŋ ˈlaɪt/A navigational light on a lighthouse or buoy that is periodically eclipsed (turned off) at regular intervals.
• occultism

  nounC2
  /ˈɒk.əl.tɪ.zəm/The study of or belief in supernatural, mystical, or magical powers and phenomena.
• occultist

  nounC2
  /ˈɒk.əl.tɪst/A person who believes in or practices magic, alchemy, astrology, or other esoteric arts, often involving hidden knowledge or supernatural powers.
• occupancy

  nounB2
  /ˈɒk.jə.pən.si/the act or fact of using or living in a building, room, or piece of land, or the condition of being occupied.
• occupant

  nounB2
  /ˈɒk.jə.pənt/A person who resides in or uses a space, building, or vehicle.
• occupation

  nounHigh
  /ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃ(ə)n/A person's job or profession; the way they earn their living.
• occupation franchise

  nounLow frequency (specialist/technical/historical term)
  /ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən ˈfrænʧaɪz/A historical or legal requirement that the right to vote in certain local elections is restricted to property owners, ratepayers, or occupants of specific buildings or land.

Showing 281–300 of 3187 words.