Browse by letter

English Words Starting With S

15,552 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)

shell game
nounLow frequency
/ˈʃel ˌɡeɪm/A gambling game where a small object is hidden under one of three cups or shells, shuffled quickly, and players bet on which cup hides it; often rigged to cheat.
shell gland
nounRare / Highly Technical
/ˈʃel ɡlænd/A specialized organ in certain animals, especially molluscs and some fish, that secretes the material that forms the shell or outer covering.
shell jacket
nounC1
/ˈʃel ˌdʒakɪt/A short, often waist-length, close-fitting jacket, typically made from a tough, weather-resistant material and frequently used for military, uniform, or outdoor activities.
shell out
verbB2
/ˌʃel ˈaʊt/To pay money, especially reluctantly or in large amounts.
shell pink
nounLow
/ˌʃɛl ˈpɪŋk/A pale, delicate shade of pink, like the interior of some seashells.
shell program
nounC1
/ˈʃɛl ˌprəʊɡræm/A computer program that provides a command-line interface for interacting with an operating system.
shell shock
nounLow
/ˈʃɛl ʃɒk/A psychological disorder historically associated with soldiers exposed to combat, characterized by anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks, especially from World War I.
shell star
nounVery Low
/ˈʃɛl ˌstɑː/A type of star that shows unusual spectral lines due to a circumstellar shell of gas, often indicating mass loss or unusual chemical composition.
shell steak
nounC2/Rare
/ˈʃɛl ˌsteɪk/A steak cut from the rump or top sirloin of beef, typically containing a piece of bone in a shape resembling a shell or oyster shell.
shell suit
nounLow/Periodic
/ˈʃɛl suːt/A lightweight tracksuit with a shiny, often brightly coloured or patterned nylon outer shell and a mesh inner lining.
shell-like
adjectivenounC1
/ˈʃɛlˌlaɪk/Resembling or having the qualities of a shell; a humorous or idiomatic reference to one's ear (as in 'a word in your shell-like').
shellac
nounverbverb-transitiveLow to medium; common in technical or informal contexts, rare in everyday conversation.
/ʃəˈlæk/A natural resin secreted by the lac bug, used primarily as a wood finish or varnish.
shellacking
nounC2
/ʃəˈlakɪŋ/A severe defeat, punishment, or beating.
shellback
nounRare
/ˈʃɛlbak/An experienced sailor who has crossed the equator, traditionally initiated in a ceremony.
shellbark
nounC2 (Very low frequency, specialized)
/ˈʃɛlbɑːk/A type of hickory tree (Carya laciniosa) known for its distinctive, thick, shaggy, and exfoliating bark.
shellcracker
nounLow
/ˈʃɛlkrækə/A common name for a freshwater sunfish, specifically Lepomis microlophus, noted for its robust teeth used to crush the shells of snails and mussels.
sheller
nounLow
/ˈʃɛlə/A person or machine that removes the outer shell or husk from something, especially nuts, peas, or corn.
shelley
nounLow
/ˈʃɛli/A proper noun, most commonly a surname or given name of Old English origin, often associated with notable figures like the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley or novelist Mary Shelley.
shelleyan
adjectivenounLow
/ˈʃɛlɪən/Relating to or characteristic of the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley or his works.
shellfire
nounLow Frequency (C2)
/ˈʃɛlfaɪə/The firing of explosive artillery shells, especially as a continuous bombardment.

Showing 5021–5040 of 15552 words.