Browse by letter

English Words Starting With W

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

Filter

Parts of speech

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

wheeler
nounC1
/ˈwiːlə/A person or thing that wheels, especially a wheelwright or a vehicle (or its component) having a specified number of wheels.
wheeler-dealer
nounLow-medium
/ˌwiːlə ˈdiːlə/A person who is involved in many business transactions, often in a shrewd, cunning, or slightly dishonest way.
wheelhouse
nounC1
/ˈwiːlhaʊs/The small enclosed cabin on a boat or ship where the steering wheel, compass, and other navigational equipment are located.
wheelie
nounC1
/ˈwiː.li/A manoeuvre where the front wheel of a bicycle, motorcycle, or similar vehicle is lifted off the ground while moving, balancing on the rear wheel.
wheelie bin
nounMedium
/ˈwiːli bɪn/A large, mobile rubbish container on wheels, used for household waste collection.
wheeling
nounMedium Frequency
/ˈwiːlɪŋ/The action or process of moving or propelling something on wheels; turning or rotating like a wheel.
wheelman
nounC1-C2
/ˈwiːlmən/A person who drives a vehicle, especially in a getaway or during a crime.
wheelock
nounVery Low
/ˈwiːlək/A type of early firearm mechanism (16th–17th century) that uses a spring-driven, serrated steel wheel to strike sparks against pyrite to ignite the gunpowder.
wheels
plural-nounB1
/wiːlz/Circular objects that rotate on an axle and are fixed below vehicles to enable them to move over the ground; a vehicle itself (informal).
wheelspin
nounC1/C2
/ˈwiːlspɪn/The rapid spinning of a vehicle's drive wheels without gaining traction, causing loss of forward motion and often noise, smoke, or damage to tyres.
wheelwork
nounVery Low
/ˈwiːlwɜːk/The moving or operational parts of a mechanical device, typically the interconnected wheels and gears that transmit motion.
wheelwright
nounC1
/ˈwiːlraɪt/A person whose job is making or repairing wheels, especially wooden wheels for horse-drawn vehicles.
wheen
adjectivedeterminernounVery Low (Used regionally and archaically in English overall)
/ʍiːn/A good number; a considerable amount or quantity (used especially in Scottish and Irish English).
wheesh
interjectionnounverbLow
/ʍiːʃ/To move swiftly and smoothly with a rustling or light whooshing sound.
wheeze
nounverbverb-intransitiveC2
/wiːz/A whistling, breathy sound made when breathing with difficulty, often due to illness or obstruction.
whelk
nounC2
/wɛlk/A marine mollusc with a spiral shell.
whelm
verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveLow
/wɛlm/To engulf, submerge, or completely cover, often by a powerful force or in large quantities.
whelmed
verbLow
/wɛlmd/To be completely covered, submerged, or overwhelmed by something, either physically or emotionally; in modern usage, chiefly encountered in its negative or opposite forms (overwhelmed, underwhelmed).
whelp
nounverbverb-ambitransitiveC1 (Low frequency, literary/technical/specialized)
/wɛlp/1. A young offspring of a carnivorous mammal, especially a dog, wolf, bear, or lion. 2. (Archaic/derogatory) A youth, especially one perceived as ill-mannered or insolent.
whelping ice
nounVery Low / Specialized
/ˈwɛlpɪŋ aɪs/A treacherous layer of new, thin ice that forms over existing ice, often undetectable and extremely dangerous for travel.

Showing 1801–1820 of 3868 words.