English Words Starting With W

• wanxian

  nounVery Low / Obsolete
  /ˈwɒnʃ(ə)n/(Obsolete/Historical) Describing a state of being pale, sickly, or lacking vigor; pallid, faint, or feeble.
• wap

  acronymverb-ambitransitiveVery Low / Obsolete / Slang
  /wɒp/To strike or hit something with a quick, sharp blow; to beat or thrash.
• wapentake

  nounVery Low (C2+)
  /ˈwɒp.ən.teɪk/A historical administrative subdivision, especially a county division in some northern and midland counties of England, similar to a hundred in southern England.
• wapiti

  nounVery low
  /ˈwɒp.ɪ.ti/A large North American deer, also called elk.
• wappenshaw

  nounObsolete / Extremely Rare
  /ˈwæpənˌʃɔː/An archaic term for a muster of armed men for the purpose of inspecting their weapons and readiness.
• wapperjaw

  nounExtremely Rare / Obsolete
  /ˈwæpədʒɔː/A protruding jaw, especially one that is misaligned.
• wapsipinicon

  nounVery Low
  /ˌwɒpsɪˈpɪnɪkən/A proper name referring to a river in Iowa, USA.
• war

  adjectivenounverbverb-intransitiveC1
  /wɔː(r)/A period of intense, large-scale, and organised armed conflict between nations, states, or groups within a state, typically involving force and resulting in death and destruction.
• war and peace

  nounB2
  /ˌwɔːr ən ˈpiːs/A paired concept representing the two fundamental, opposing states of human society and international relations: conflict and harmony.
• war baby

  nounLow
  /ˈwɔː ˌbeɪbi/A child born during a time of war, often with the specific implication that their father was away serving in the military.
• war between the states

  nounRare
  /ˈwɔː bɪˌtwiːn ðə ˈsteɪts/The civil war fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865.
• war bonnet

  nounLow
  /ˈwɔː ˌbɒn.ɪt/A ceremonial feathered headdress, traditionally worn by male leaders of various Plains Indian peoples, often symbolising honour, bravery, and status.
• war bride

  nounC1
  /ˈwɔː ˌbraɪd/A woman who marries a soldier, sailor, or airman of a country stationed abroad during a war, and who typically emigrates to that serviceman's home country after the war.
• war chest

  nounB2
  /ˈwɔː ˌtʃest/A reserve of funds gathered for a specific purpose, especially for use in a campaign, competition, or conflict.
• war cloud

  nounC2/Rare
  /ˈwɔː ˌklaʊd/A figurative expression describing the threatening, ominous, or hostile atmosphere preceding an armed conflict or major confrontation.
• war correspondent

  nounC1
  /ˈwɔː ˌkɒr.ɪˈspɒn.dənt/A journalist who reports from a zone of armed conflict.
• war crime

  nounB2
  /ˈwɔː kraɪm/A serious violation of the laws or customs of war, as defined by international law, such as deliberately targeting civilians, torture, or using prohibited weapons.
• war cry

  nounC1
  /ˈwɔː kraɪ/A shout or yell used by people going into battle to express collective spirit, intimidate enemies, or signal attack.
• war dance

  nounC1
  /ˈwɔː ˌdɑːns/A ceremonial dance performed to prepare for battle, celebrate victory, or invoke martial spirit, often associated with Indigenous, tribal, or historical warrior cultures.
• war department

  nounC1
  /ˈwɔː dɪˌpɑːtmənt/A historical governmental ministry or executive department responsible for the administration and management of a nation's army and land-based military forces.

Showing 421–440 of 3868 words.