English Words Starting With Q

• quicksilver

  adjectivenounverb-transitiveC1
  /ˈkwɪkˌsɪl.və/The metallic element mercury (Hg), known for its liquid, silvery, and fast-moving properties at room temperature.
• quickstep

  nounverbLow
  /ˈkwɪkstep/A fast, lively ballroom dance in 4/4 time, characterized by quick steps, hops, and runs.
• quickthorn

  nounRare / Technical / Regional
  /ˈkwɪkθɔːn/Hawthorn; specifically the common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), a thorny shrub or small tree widely used in hedgerows.
• quickwater

  nounVery Low (Specialist / Regional / Archaic)
  /ˈkwɪkˌwɔːtə/A stretch of river, stream, or tidal current where the water flows with noticeable speed and smooth, unbroken surface.
• quid

  nounC1
  /kwɪd/One pound sterling (£1), British currency.
• quid pro quo

  nounC1/C2
  /ˌkwɪd prəʊ ˈkwəʊ/A reciprocal exchange of goods, services, or favours where something is given in return for something else.
• quidde

  nounExtremely rare / Obsolete
  /ˈkwɪdɪ/A historical term meaning 'to say' or 'to speak', now obsolete in modern English.
• quidditch

  nounLow (common in fandom/pop culture contexts, rare otherwise)
  /ˈkwɪd.ɪtʃ/A fictional sport played on broomsticks by wizards and witches in the Harry Potter universe, involving four balls and three goal hoops.
• quiddity

  nounVery Low (C2)
  /ˈkwɪdɪti/The inherent nature or essence of a thing; what makes it what it is.
• quidnunc

  nounRare / Literary
  /ˈkwɪdˌnʌŋk/A person who is eager to know the latest news and gossip; a busybody or gossip.
• quiescence

  nounC2
  /kwɪˈes.əns/A state of inactivity, dormancy, or quietness.
• quiescent tank

  nounLow (technical term)
  /kwiˈes.ənt tæŋk/A tank in a wastewater treatment system that allows solids to settle and separate from water by remaining still, without flow or mixing.
• quiet

  adjectivenounverbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveA1
  /ˈkwaɪət/Making little or no noise; free from disturbance or activity.
• quiet quitting

  nounMedium (common in business/popular media discourse, less common in formal or everyday conversation)
  /ˌkwaɪ.ət ˈkwɪt.ɪŋ/The practice of doing only the exact work one is paid for and no more, without formally resigning; meeting the bare minimum job requirements while disengaging from extra effort or ambition.
• quiet revolution

  nounMedium
  /ˌkwaɪət ˌrevəˈluːʃən/A significant social or political change that occurs gradually or without violent upheaval.
• quiet sun

  nounLow (specialist term in astronomy; rare in general discourse)
  /ˌkwaɪ.ət ˈsʌn/A period of minimal solar activity, characterized by few sunspots and reduced solar radiation.
• quieten

  verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC1
  /ˈkwaɪ.ə.tən/To make or become less noisy, less active, or less intense.
• quietism

  nounLow-frequency (C2)
  /ˈkwaɪ.ə.tɪ.zəm/A state of calm passivity, acceptance, or withdrawal from active involvement or worldly affairs.
• quietude

  nounLow (C1-C2 level vocabulary; literary/formal register)
  /ˈkwaɪ.ə.tjuːd/A state of calmness, peace, and tranquility; the absence of noise or disturbance.
• quietus

  nounVery Low / Literary
  /kwaɪˈiːtəs/Something that ends, quiets, or settles something; especially death or a final release from life.

Showing 521–540 of 698 words.