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English Words Starting With W

3,868 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Suffix Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

whales
nounB1
/weɪlz/Large marine mammals of the order Cetacea, characterized by their size, blowholes, and aquatic lifestyle.
whalesucker
nounvery low
/ˈweɪlˌsʌkə(r)/a species of remora (Remora australis) known for attaching itself to whales and other large marine mammals to feed on parasites.
whaling
adverbnounC1
/ˈweɪ.lɪŋ/The activity or business of hunting and killing whales.
whaling port
nounC2
/ˈweɪ.lɪŋ pɔːt/A harbour or coastal town historically or currently serving as a base for whaling ships.
wham
adverbinterjectionnoun+2C1
/wæm/A sudden, forceful impact or collision, often producing a loud, dull sound.
whammo
adjectiveadverbinterjection+1Low
/ˈwæm.əʊ/An interjection (or informal noun) representing a sudden, powerful, and often surprising impact or event.
whammy
nounLow to Medium (colloquial, understood but not frequently used in all contexts).
/ˈwæm.i/A jinx or curse; a powerful, harmful impact or influence.
whammy bar
nounC1/C2 (low frequency, highly specialized)
/ˈwæmi ˌbɑː/A lever on an electric guitar that temporarily slackens the strings, producing a vibrato or pitch-bending effect.
whanau
nounVery Low in general English; common in New Zealand English.
/ˈfɑːnaʊ/An extended family or community of related people who share a common ancestor; a fundamental social unit in Māori society.
whang
nounverbverb-intransitive+1Rare
/waŋ/(verb) to strike or hit something hard, producing a loud sound; (noun) a resounding blow or the sound made by such a blow.
whangarei
nounVery Low
/ˌfæŋ.əˈreɪ.i/A city and district in the Northland region of New Zealand.
whangdoodle
nounVery Low
/ˈwæŋˌduːd(ə)l/An imaginary or absurd creature; a nonsensical or fanciful thing.
whangee
nounVery low
/waŋˈiː/A type of bamboo native to East Asia, particularly China, or a walking stick made from its stem.
whap
verbverb-ambitransitiveLow
/wɒp/To strike or hit (someone or something) heavily.
whapper
nounRare
/ˈwɒpə/Something that is exceptionally large or impressive.
whare
nounLow (Outside NZ); Medium (Within NZ)
/ˈfɒri/A Māori word for a house or dwelling.
whare wananga
nounVery Low
/ˌfɑːreɪ wɑːˈnɑːŋə/A Māori institution of higher learning or university; a place for preserving and transmitting sacred knowledge.
wharenui
nounLow (Specialist term)
/ˌfɑːreɪˈnuːi/A large carved meeting house, especially of the Māori people of New Zealand.
wharepuni
nounvery low
/ˈfɑːrɛˌpuːni/a Māori traditional sleeping house or communal dwelling for extended family
wharf
nounverbverb-intransitive+1C1
/wɔːf/A structure built on the shore of or projecting into a harbour, river, or canal, alongside which ships can dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.

Showing 1721–1740 of 3868 words.