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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)

shakers
plural-nounC1
/ˈʃeɪkəz/1) Objects or people that shake something. 2) Specifically, containers with perforated tops for sprinkling salt, pepper, sugar, etc. 3) Members of a 19th-century Christian sect noted for ecstatic worship and celibacy.
shakespeare
nounC1
/ˈʃeɪk.spɪə/An English playwright and poet of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
shakespearean
adjectivenounLow
/ʃeɪkˈspɪəriən/Relating to, characteristic of, or in the style of William Shakespeare or his works.
shakespearean sonnet
nounMedium
/ʃeɪkˌspɪə.ri.ən ˈsɒn.ɪt/A fourteen-line poem following a specific rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG) and iambic pentameter, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet, as established by William Shakespeare.
shakespeareana
plural-nounC2
/ˌʃeɪk.spɪə.riˈɑː.nə/Materials, objects, writings, or information related to William Shakespeare, his life, works, or times.
shakhty
nounVery Low (Proper noun, geographically specific)
/ˈʃæk.ti/A city in southwestern Russia, located in Rostov Oblast, historically significant for coal mining.
shaking
adjectivenounB1
/ˈʃeɪkɪŋ/Moving quickly and repeatedly back and forth or up and down with small, often involuntary movements.
shaking palsy
nounRare / Obsolete
/ˈʃeɪ.kɪŋ ˈpɔːl.zi/An archaic, descriptive term for a chronic neurological disorder characterized by a constant, involuntary tremor of the limbs.
shako
nounC2 - Very Low Frequency
/ˈʃæk.əʊ/A tall, stiff military hat with a peak, a visor, and a plume or pompom, worn especially in the 19th century.
shakshuka
nounLow-medium
/ʃækˈʃuːkə/A Middle Eastern and North African dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices.
shakspere
nounRare
/ˈʃeɪkspɪə/An archaic or alternative spelling for the name of William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet.
shakta
nounLow
/ˈʃɑːktə/A Hindu who venerates the Goddess (Shakti) as the supreme deity, a follower of Shaktism.
shakti
nounLow
/ˈʃʌkti/The divine feminine creative power or energy, personified as a goddess, in Hinduism.
shaktism
nounC2
/ˈʃæk.tɪ.zəm/A major branch of Hinduism that worships the goddess Shakti (or Devi) as the supreme divine energy and creative power of the universe.
shakuntala
nounVery Low
/ˌʃʌkʊnˈtɑːlə/The name of the central character in a classic Sanskrit play by Kalidasa, 'Abhijnanashakuntalam', meaning 'The Recognition of Shakuntala'.
shakyamuni
nounC2
/ˌʃæk.jəˈmuː.ni/A name for Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism, meaning 'sage of the Shakyas' (the clan he was born into).
shalach manoth
nounRare
/ˈʃɑːlɑːx mɑːˈnɒt/The Jewish custom of sending gifts of food to friends and family on the holiday of Purim.
shale
nounC1
/ʃeɪl/A fine-grained, layered sedimentary rock formed from clay or silt, often containing fossils.
shale oil
nounLow (specialized term)
/ˈʃeɪl ˌɔɪl/A type of unconventional oil obtained by heating oil shale, a sedimentary rock, to release petroleum-like hydrocarbons.
shall
verbverb-auxillaryMedium
/ʃæl/A modal verb used primarily to express future time (especially in formal contexts) or to indicate strong obligation, intention, or command.

Showing 4641–4660 of 15552 words.