English

[ ing-glish or, often, -lish ]

/ ˈɪŋ glɪʃ or, often, -lɪʃ /

Save This Word!

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of England or its inhabitants, institutions, etc.

belonging or relating to, or spoken or written in, the English language: a high school English class;an English translation of a Spanish novel.

noun

(used with a plural verb) the people of England collectively, especially as distinguished from the Scots, Welsh, and Irish.

the Germanic language of the British Isles, widespread and standard also in the U.S. and most of the British Commonwealth, historically termed Old English (c450–c1150), Middle English (c1150–c1475), and Modern English (after c1475). Abbreviation: E

English language, composition, and literature as offered as a course of study in school.

a specific variety of this language, as that of a particular time, place, or person: American English; Shakespearean English.

simple, straightforward language: What does all that jargon mean in English?

Sports.(sometimes lowercase)

a spinning motion imparted to a ball, especially in billiards.
body English.

Printing. a 14-point type of a size between pica and Columbian.

a grade of calendered paper having a smooth matte finish.

verb (used with object)

to translate into English: to English Euripides.

to adopt (a foreign word) into English; Anglicize.

(sometimes lowercase)Sports. to impart English to (a ball).

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of English

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English Englisc, equivalent to Engle (plural) “the English” (compare Latin Anglī “the Angles,” a branch of the Suevians + -isc; see origin at Angle, Anglic, -ish¹

OTHER WORDS FROM English

Eng·lish·ness, nounan·ti-Eng·lish, adjectivehalf-Eng·lish, adjectivenon-Eng·lish, adjective, noun

pre-Eng·lish, adjectivepro-Eng·lish, adjectivepseu·do-Eng·lish, adjectivequa·si-Eng·lish, adjective

Words nearby English

englacial, England, Engle, Engler degrees, Englewood, English, English bond, English breakfast, English Canadian, English Channel, English Civil War

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use English in a sentence

That means families who move frequently, change cellphone numbers or do not speak English can be left out of the loop and can be difficult to find.
Unprecedented numbers of students have disappeared during the pandemic. Schools are working harder than ever to find them.|Moriah Balingit|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
Until last year, Tikhanovskaya, now 38, was a full-time mother, planning to pick up her earlier career as an English teacher.
How a Belarusian Teacher and Stay-at-Home Mom Came to Lead a National Revolt|Vivienne Walt|February 25, 2021|Time
Two hundred years ago this week, English poet John Keats died of tuberculosis, in Rome, at the age of 25.
Two centuries after John Keats’s death, his famous odes are still sparking new discussions|Troy Jollimore|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
In recent weeks, two prominent journalists have been disciplined, largely because of uttering, or defending, the use of the worst racial slur in the English language.
Some journalists are debating when it’s okay to use the n-word. But this one should be easy.|Margaret Sullivan|February 25, 2021|Washington Post

By recovering those parts, we can allow all the things that are going on in English literature departments to continue.
Literature Should Be Taught Like Science - Issue 97: Wonder|Kevin Berger|February 24, 2021|Nautilus
His first language was Russian, then he learned Swedish, but chooses to perform in monosyllabic broken English.
The Cult of Yung Lean: ‘I’m Building An Anarchistic Society From the Ground Up’|Marlow Stern|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Gently rolling hills” roll not-so-gently under my tires, but the English countryside scenery is soporific.
Biking With the Bard|Kara Cutruzzula|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her phone rings at least once an hour with questions from journalists, which she answers in Arabic, English, and sometimes French.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Deck the Halls” was written back in the 16th century, when the English language was very different.
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You mix up English working-class gruffness with African-American soul from the Deep South.
The Greatest Rock Voice of All Time Belonged to Joe Cocker|Ted Gioia|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thomas Cooper, an English prelate, died; highly commended for his great learning and eloquence.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
A fancy came into my head that I would entertain the king and queen with an English tune upon this instrument.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
Dockier, a prominent leader of the Levelers, in the times of the English commonwealth, was shot by order of the government.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
It seems to me that such verses as these might very well have satisfied the English admirers of Klopstock.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
William Woodville died; a distinguished English physician and medical writer.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for English

English

/ (ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ) /

noun

the official language of Britain, the US, most parts of the Commonwealth, and certain other countries. It is the native language of over 280 million people and is acquired as a second language by many more. It is an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branchSee also Middle English, Old English, Modern English

the English (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of England collectively

(formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 14 point

an old style of black-letter typeface

(often not capital) the usual US and Canadian term for side (def. 16)

adjective

denoting, using, or relating to the English language

relating to or characteristic of England or the English

verb (tr)

archaic to translate or adapt into EnglishRelated prefix: Anglo-

Derived forms of English

Englishness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with English

English

see body English; in plain English.