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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)

stare
nounverbverb-intransitive+1high
/steə/To look fixedly or intently at someone or something with eyes wide open, often for a prolonged period.
stare decisis
nounLow
/ˌstɑːreɪ dɪˈsaɪsɪs/The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent; to stand by things decided.
stare out
verbB2
/steə(r) aʊt/To gaze fixedly and defiantly at someone, often as a challenge, until they look away.
stared
verbB1
/steəd/To look fixedly or intently at someone or something with wide-open eyes, often due to surprise, curiosity, anger, or lack of awareness.
starets
nounLow
/ˈstɑːrɛts/A spiritual elder or guide in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, particularly in Russian tradition, known for wisdom and asceticism.
starfish
nounB1
/ˈstɑːfɪʃ/A marine invertebrate animal belonging to the class Asteroidea, typically having a central disc and five radiating arms, though some species have more. It is also known as a sea star.
starfish flower
nounLow (Specialist/Botanical)
/ˈstɑː.fɪʃ ˌflaʊ.ər/A flowering plant of the Stapelia genus, whose bloom resembles a marine starfish in shape and often in colour/texture.
starflower
nounC1/C2
/ˈstɑːˌflaʊ.ər/A common name for several plant species, typically those with star-shaped flowers, most notably referring to plants in the genus Borago (borage) or certain species in other genera like Trientalis.
starfucker
nounLow-Frequency / Slang
/ˈstɑːˌfʌkə/A person who seeks to gain status, favour, or sexual opportunity by associating with or pursuing celebrities or powerful people.
stargaze
verbverb-intransitiveC1
/ˈstɑː.ɡeɪz/To look up at the stars for an extended period, often with a sense of wonder or contemplation.
stargazer
nounC1
/ˈstɑːˌɡeɪ.zə/A person who observes or studies the stars; an astronomer or astrologer.
stark effect
nounC2
/stɑːk ɪˈfɛkt/The splitting or shifting of spectral lines of atoms and molecules due to the presence of an external electric field. It is the electric-field analogue of the Zeeman effect, where a magnetic field causes splitting.
starker
nounLow
/ˈstɑːkə/The comparative form of the adjective 'stark,' meaning more plain, bare, severe, harsh, complete, or obvious in quality.
starkey
nounVery Low
/ˈstɑːki/A surname of English origin, historically associated with land ownership or governance; also, a rare archaic term for a starling (bird).
starkville
nounLow (Geographically specific proper noun)
/ˈstɑːk.vɪl/A proper noun referring to a city in Mississippi, USA, best known as the home of Mississippi State University.
starlet
nounB2
/ˈstɑːlɪt/A young actress who is promoted as a future star, often in the early stages of her career.
starlight
adjectivenounC1
/ˈstɑː.laɪt/The light emitted by stars.
starling
nounB2
/ˈstɑː.lɪŋ/A medium-sized, dark-coloured songbird with a short tail and pointed wings, often seen in large, noisy flocks, known for its iridescent plumage and ability to mimic sounds.
starquake
nounVery low / Specialized
/ˈstɑː.kweɪk/A violent, cataclysmic seismic event occurring on the crust of a neutron star.
starr
nounC2
/stɑː/A surname; a common spelling variant of the surname 'Star', meaning a person who shines brightly.

Showing 11441–11460 of 15552 words.