English
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.
of or relating to a person or thing that is not Amish, generally used by Amish people in Anglophone North America: The Amish rarely celebrate English holidays like Labor Day.He fixed a rabbit hutch for his English neighbor.
(used with a plural verb) the people of England collectively, especially as distinguished from the Scots, Welsh, and Irish.
the Germanic language of England, widespread and standard also in the United States, Canada, and other countries colonized or settled by England, 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 the English language, as that of a particular time, place, or person: Shakespearean English;American 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.
Printing. a 14-point type of a size between pica and Columbian.
a grade of calendered paper having a smooth matte finish.
(used with a plural verb) people who are not Amish, generally used by Amish people in Anglophone North America: More Amish than English live in this county.
to translate into English: to English Euripides.
to adopt (a foreign word) into English; Anglicize.
(sometimes lowercase)Sports. to impart spin to (a ball).
Origin of English
1Other words from English
- Eng·lish·ness, noun
- an·ti-Eng·lish, adjective
- half-Eng·lish, adjective
- non-Eng·lish, adjective, noun
- pre-Eng·lish, adjective
- pro-Eng·lish, adjective
- pseu·do-Eng·lish, adjective
- qua·si-Eng·lish, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use English in a sentence
In one respect her Englishness of accent was less an imitation or an affectation than a certain form of politeness and modesty.
The Cup of Fury | Rupert HughesThe intense Englishness of them hit one in the face like a well-directed blow from a powerful fist.
In the Wilderness | Robert HichensHe was still looking at her, as if in enjoyment of the Englishness and freshness of which he had spoken.
With Edged Tools | Henry Seton MerrimanAll that is most characteristic of Tennyson, even his Englishness, is gathered up in this poem of six stanzas.
Introduction to Robert Browning | Hiram CorsonDemocracy in England has been the chief representative of veritable Englishness up to these days.
The Mirrors of Downing Street | Harold Begbie
British Dictionary definitions for English
/ (ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ) /
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 branch: See 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)
denoting, using, or relating to the English language
relating to or characteristic of England or the English
archaic to translate or adapt into English: Related 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
see body English; in plain English.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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