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English Words Starting With S

15,552 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)

semipolar bond
nounLow/Very Low (Specialist)
/ˌsɛmɪˈpəʊlə bɒnd/A type of chemical bond intermediate in character between a pure covalent bond and a pure ionic bond.
semiporcelain
nounRare
/ˌsɛmɪˈpɔːs(ə)lɪn/A type of ceramic ware that is harder and more durable than earthenware but not as hard or vitrified as true porcelain.
semipostal
adjectivenounLow (Specialist/Very Low General)
/ˌsɛmɪˈpəʊst(ə)l/A postage stamp issued at a price above its face value, with the additional revenue dedicated to a charitable or philanthropic cause, often one of public interest.
semiprecious stone
nounC1
/ˌsemiˈpreʃəs stəʊn/A mineral gemstone valued for its beauty and durability, but considered of less commercial value than a precious stone (diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire).
semiprofessional
adjectivenounLow-Frequency
/ˌsɛmɪprəˈfɛʃ(ə)nəl/Someone who is paid for their work in a particular field but does not rely on it as their sole source of income or livelihood.
semiquaver
nounLow
/ˈsem.iˌkweɪ.vər/A musical note with a duration of one quarter of a whole note.
semiquinone
nounC2/Highly Specialized
/ˌsɛmɪˈkwɪnəʊn/A free radical intermediate, formed during the oxidation or reduction of quinones, containing an unpaired electron.
semiramis
nounVery Low
/sɛˈmɪrəmɪs/A legendary Assyrian queen, noted for her beauty, wisdom, and military prowess.
semis
nounB2-C1 (Moderately common, especially in sports/real estate contexts)
/ˈsɛmiːz/An abbreviation or plural for 'semifinal(s)', referring to the stage in a competition preceding the final, where the number of participants is reduced to a few.
semisolid
adjectivenounC2/Uncommon
/ˌsɛmɪˈsɒlɪd/Having a thick, soft, partially solid and partially liquid consistency.
semisolus
nounVery Low / Obscure
/ˌsɛmɪˈsəʊləs/A state of being partially alone or isolated, but not completely solitary.
semistarvation
nounC2 / Very Low Frequency
/ˌsɛmɪstɑːˈveɪʃ(ə)n/A state of chronic, severe undernourishment; insufficient food intake that is not total starvation but leads to serious physical and mental deterioration.
semisubmersible
adjectivenounC2
/ˌsɛmɪsəbˈmɜːsɪb(ə)l/a vessel, platform, or structure that floats on the sea surface but can be partially submerged to increase stability and reduce wave motion.
semisubmersible rig
nounC2
/ˌsɛmɪsəbˈmɜːsəb(ə)l ˈrɪɡ/A type of floating offshore drilling platform with pontoons and columns that is partially submerged and ballasted for stability.
semite
nounLow (primarily academic/historical).
/ˈsiːmaɪt/A member of any of the peoples speaking a Semitic language, originally including the ancient Hebrews, Arabs, Akkadians, and Phoenicians.
semitic
adjectivenounC2
/səˈmɪtɪk/Relating to the Semitic family of languages, which includes Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic, and others, or to the peoples historically associated with these languages.
semitics
nounC2
/səˈmɪtɪks/The study of Semitic languages, peoples, and cultures.
semitism
nounVery Low
/ˈsɛmɪtɪz(ə)m/The characteristic practices, beliefs, or qualities associated with Semitic peoples, particularly Jews.
semitist
nounVery low (specialist academic term)
/ˈsɛmɪtɪst/A specialist in Semitic languages, literature, or cultures.
semito-hamitic
adjectivenounC2 (Very low frequency; highly specialized)
/ˌsɛmɪtəʊhəˈmɪtɪk/A now-outdated term for a proposed major language family encompassing the Semitic, Egyptian, Berber, Cushitic, and Chadic language groups; the predecessor term to 'Afroasiatic'.

Showing 3761–3780 of 15552 words.