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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)

wheel back
nounC1/C2
/wiːl bæk/To reverse direction, especially after a period of forward movement or progress; to return to a previous position or state.
wheel blacks
plural-nounVery Low / Archaic
/ˈwiːl ˌblæks/A historical term for the black polish or paste applied to the wheels (originally wooden spoked wheels, later rubber tyres) of carriages and early automobiles to make them look shiny and new.
wheel bug
nounLow (Specialist/Biological)
/ˈwiːl ˌbʌɡ/A large, predatory North American insect of the assassin bug family (Reduviidae), specifically Arilus cristatus, characterized by a distinctive, cog-like crest on its thorax.
wheel clamp
nounB2
/ˈwiːl klæmp/A metal device locked onto the wheel of a parked vehicle to immobilize it, typically as a penalty for illegal parking.
wheel gun
nounVery Low (Niche/Slang)
/ˈwiːl ɡʌn/A revolver (firearm where bullets are held in a rotating cylinder).
wheel horse
nounLow (dated/idiomatic)
/ˈwiːl ˌhɔːs/A dependable, hard-working person who bears the main burden of work in a team or organisation; also historically, a horse harnessed nearest the wheel of a coach.
wheel lock
nounC1
/ˈwiːl ˌlɒk/A mechanical device that prevents a vehicle's steering wheel from being turned, used as an anti-theft device.
wheel man
nounC1
/ˈwiːlmən/The driver of a vehicle, especially one used in a criminal getaway.
wheel of fortune
nounC1
/ˌwiːl əv ˈfɔːtʃuːn/A phrase referring to the unpredictable and cyclical nature of luck or fate in human life, often visualized as a literal wheel that spins to change a person's circumstances.
wheel of life
nounC2
/ˌwiːl əv ˈlaɪf/A symbolic representation of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, central to Buddhist and Hindu philosophy.
wheel static
nounRare
/ˈwiːl ˌstæt.ɪk/A noisy friction sound or vibration from a vehicle's wheels, often caused by misaligned brakes.
wheel trim
nounMedium
/wiːl trɪm/A decorative or protective cover that fits over the centre section of a vehicle wheel, typically covering the wheel nuts or bolts.
wheel window
nounC1
/ˈwiːl ˈwɪn.dəʊ/A small, circular or oval window, often found on the sides of older vehicles or certain architectural designs, resembling a ship's porthole.
wheel wobble
nounC1
/ˈwiːl ˌwɒb.əl/A rapid, uncontrolled oscillation or shaking of a vehicle's steering wheel and front wheels, typically caused by a mechanical imbalance or fault.
wheelbarrow
nounverbverb-transitiveB1
/ˈwiːlˌbær.əʊ/A small cart with one wheel at the front and two handles at the back, used for carrying small loads in gardening, construction, or farming.
wheelbarrow race
nounLow (C2)
/ˈwiːlˌbærəʊ ˌreɪs/A race in which participants form pairs, with one person holding the legs of another who walks on their hands.
wheelbase
nounC1
/ˈwiːlbeɪs/the distance between the centres of the front and rear axles of a vehicle.
wheelchair
nounB1
/ˈwiːltʃɛə(r)/A chair with wheels, designed for people who cannot walk, enabling them to be mobile.
wheelchair housing
nounC1/C2
/ˈwiːltʃeə ˌhaʊzɪŋ/Residential accommodation specially designed or adapted to be accessible and usable by wheelchair users.
wheelchair race
nounB2
/ˈwiːltʃeə ˌreɪs/A competitive sporting event in which athletes using wheelchairs race over a specified distance.

Showing 1781–1800 of 3868 words.