Words starting with D — 1,178 entries

The 1,178 dictionary words that begin with the letter D, in alphabetical order, each with its first definition. Accents do not affect filing: an accented initial is shelved under its base letter.

• depression8 sensesA state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future; any of several mental disorders…
• Depression1 senseSynonym of Great Depression.
• deprive3 sensesUsed with “of”, to take something away from (someone) and keep it away; to deny someone something.
• deprived1 senseSubject to deprivation; poor.
• depth15 sensesthe vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep
• depths4 sensesThe deepest part. (Usually of a body of water.)
• deputy8 sensesOne appointed as the substitute of others, and empowered to act for them, in their name or their behalf; a substitute in office.
• der2 sensesDisdainful indication that something is obvious.
• Der2 sensesA surname.
• deranged3 sensesDisturbed or upset, especially mentally.
• derby5 sensesAny of several annual horse races.
• Derby20 sensesA city and unitary authority in Derbyshire, East Midlands, England; formerly the county town (OS grid ref SK3536).
• Derek2 sensesA male given name from the Germanic languages.
• derived3 sensesOf, or pertaining to, conditions unique to the descendant species of a clade, and not found in earlier ancestral species.
• derrick5 sensesA device that is used for lifting and moving large objects.
• Derrick2 sensesA male given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Derek.
• des1 senseDesflurane.
• Des1 senseShort form of the male given name Desmond.
• descend25 sensesSenses relating to moving from a higher to a lower position. To pass from a higher to a lower part of (something, such as a flight of stairs or a…
• descendant9 sensesDescending; going down.
• descending5 sensesMoving or sloping downwards.
• descent7 sensesAn instance of descending; act of coming down.
• describe5 sensesTo represent in words.
• description6 sensesA sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or…
• desert7 sensesA barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.
• deserted2 sensesAbandoned, without people.
• deserter3 sensesA person who has physically removed him- or herself from the control or direction of a military or naval unit with the intention of permanently…
• deserve4 sensesTo be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.
• deserved1 senseFair; merited.
• deserving3 sensesWorthy of reward or praise; meritorious.
• design12 sensesA specification of an object or process, referring to requirements to be satisfied and thus conditions to be met for them to solve a problem.
• designated1 senseHaving a specified designation or purpose.
• designed2 sensesCreated according to a design.
• designer4 sensesA person who designs something, or who designs things as a profession.
• designing2 sensesartful; scheming
• desirable3 sensesWorthy to be desired; pleasing; agreeable.
• desire10 sensesTo want; to wish for earnestly.
• desired1 sensewished-for, longed-for
• desk7 sensesA table, frame, or case, in past centuries usually with a sloping top but now usually with a flat top, for the use of writers and readers. It often…
• desmond1 senseA lower second class honours or 2.2 degree.
• Desmond2 sensesA surname from Irish, anglicised from Ó Deasmhumhnaigh, meaning "a man from South Munster".
• desolate9 sensesDeserted and devoid of inhabitants.
• despair6 sensesTo cause to despair.
• desperate8 sensesIn dire need (of something); having a dire need or desire.
• desperately2 sensesIn a desperate manner; without regard to danger or safety; recklessly.
• desperation3 sensesThe act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of hope.
• despicable2 sensesFit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean.
• despise2 sensesTo regard with contempt or scorn.
• despised1 senseHated; viewed with scorn.
• despite5 sensesIn spite of, notwithstanding.
• dessert2 sensesThe last course of a meal, consisting of fruit, sweet confections etc.
• destination4 sensesThe place set for the end of a journey or to which something is sent; place or point aimed at.
• destined1 senseConfined to a predetermined fate or destiny; certain.
• destiny4 sensesThat to which any person or thing is destined; a predetermined state; a condition predestined by the Divine or by human will.
• Destiny2 sensesAn unincorporated community in Osceola County, Florida, United States.
• destroy10 sensesTo damage beyond use or repair; to damage (something) to the point that it effectively ceases to exist.
• destroyed2 sensesDamaged beyond repair; ruined; wrecked; obliterated.
• destroyer4 sensesThat which destroys something.
• destruction3 sensesThe act of destroying.
• destructive3 sensesCausing destruction; damaging.
• detached4 sensesNot physically attached; separated from something to which it could connect.
• detachment8 sensesThe action of detaching; separation.
• detail12 sensesA part small enough to escape casual notice.
• detailed1 senseCharacterized by attention to detail and thoroughness of treatment.
• Detailed1 senseThe 41st sura (chapter) of the Qur'an.
• detain5 sensesTo keep something from proceeding or coming to completion; to delay.
• detained2 sensesDelayed or held back; kept from proceeding.
• detect4 sensesTo discover or find by careful search, examination, or probing.
• detected1 senseHaving been noticed.
• detecting1 senseAn act of detection.
• detection3 sensesThe act or process of detecting, uncovering, or finding out, the discovery of something new, hidden, or disguised.
• detective3 sensesA police officer tasked with collecting evidence and information in order to solve a crime; an investigator.
• detector3 sensesA device capable of registering a specific substance or physical phenomenon, and that optionally sounds an alarm or triggers a warning.
• detention4 sensesThe act of detaining or the state of being detained; hindrance.
• Detention1 senseA locality in Circular Head Council, north western Tasmania, Australia.
• determination10 sensesThe act of determining, or the state of being determined. The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight,…
• determine8 sensesTo set the boundaries or limits of.
• determined1 senseDecided; resolute, possessing much determination; dogged.
• detest2 sensesTo dislike (someone or something) intensely; to loathe.
• detonate4 sensesTo explode, blow up
• detonation3 sensesAn explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances. Specifically, combustion that…
• detonator4 sensesA device used to detonate an explosive device etc.
• detour4 sensesA diversion or deviation from one's original route.
• Detour1 senseAn unincorporated community in Maryland, Carroll County, United States.
• Detroit2 sensesThe largest city and former capital of Michigan, United States, a major port on the Detroit River, known as the traditional automotive center of the…
• deuce16 sensesA card with two pips, one of four in a standard deck of playing cards.
• dev2 sensesA monster, dragon, serpent, or giant.
• Dev4 sensesA male given name from Hindi.
• devastated2 sensesRuined, ravaged.
• devastating1 senseCausing devastation.
• devastation2 sensesThe act of devastating, or the state of being devastated; a laying waste.
• develop10 sensesTo change with a specific direction, progress.
• developed6 senseswealthy and industrialized; not third-world.
• developer6 sensesA person or entity engaged in the creation or improvement of certain classes of products.
• developing3 sensesIn the process of development.
• development11 sensesThe process of developing; growth, directed change.
• developments1 senseA group of building complexes or apartments. Often used for low income housing.
• devi1 senseA goddess in Vedic mythology, Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Devi3 sensesShakti, the female aspect of the divine, as conceptualized by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. She is the female counterpart without whom the male…
• device12 sensesAny piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially a mechanical or electrical one.
• devil25 sensesThe chief devil; Satan.
• Devil1 senseThe chief devil; Satan.
• Devin3 sensesA surname from Irish. An Anglicisation of Irish Ó Damháin (“(descendant of a person named) Fawn”).
• devious2 sensesCunning or deceiving, not straightforward or honest, not frank.
• Devlin1 senseA surname from Irish.
• devon1 senseA type of processed meat sausage.
• Devon17 sensesA county of England bordered by Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, the Bristol Channel and the English Channel.
• devote4 sensesto give one's time, focus one's efforts, commit oneself, etc. entirely for, on, or to a certain matter; to consecrate.
• devoted4 sensesVowed; dedicated; consecrated.
• devotion4 sensesThe act or state of devoting or being devoted; a feeling of being devoted (to something).
• devour5 sensesTo eat quickly, greedily, hungrily, or ravenously.
• devout5 sensesDevoted to religion or to religious feelings and duties; pious; extremely religious; godly.
• dew7 sensesAny moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon their surfaces.
• Dew2 sensesA surname.
• dewey1 senseA charge of DUI.
• Dewey16 sensesA surname from Old French.
• dex5 sensesAn order or factor of ten.
• dexter2 sensesRight; on the right-hand side. (In heraldry, specifically the bearer's right, which is the viewer's left.)
• Dexter6 sensesA surname originating as an occupation for a female dyer.
• dharma5 sensesThe natural order of the universe; natural law, cosmic order.
• di1 senseA meaningless syllable used when singing a tune or indicating a rhythm.
• dI1 sensedwarf irregular galaxy
• Di2 sensesA diminutive of the female given names Diana or Diane.
• diabetes3 sensesDiabetes mellitus; any of a group of metabolic diseases whereby a person (or other animal) has high blood sugar due to an inability to produce, or…
• diabetic4 sensesOf or pertaining to diabetes, especially diabetes mellitus.
• diablo2 sensesThe or a devil.
• Diablo3 sensesA sports car made by the Italian manufacturer Lamborghini.
• diabolical4 sensesOf or concerning the devil: devilish, satanic.
• diagnosis4 sensesThe process of, or an instance of, identification of the nature and cause of a medical condition or illness.
• diagnostic8 sensesOf, or relating to diagnosis.
• diagram6 sensesA plan, drawing, sketch or outline to show the function or operation of something, or to show the relationships between the parts of a whole.
• dial12 sensesA graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).
• Dial1 senseA surname.
• dialect6 sensesA lect (often a regional or minority language) as part of a group or family of languages, especially if they are viewed as a single language, or if…
• dialing4 sensesThe act by which a number is dialed.
• dialogue7 sensesA conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.
• dialysis4 sensesA method of separating molecules or particles of different sizes by differential diffusion through a semipermeable membrane.
• diameter4 sensesAny straight line between two points on the circumference of a circle that passes through the center of the circle; a chord that passes through the…
• diamond18 sensesA glimmering glass-like mineral that is an allotrope of carbon in which each atom is surrounded by four others in the form of a tetrahedron.
• Diamond14 sensesA female given name from English of modern usage, from the name of the gem.
• diamonds2 sensesOne of the four suits of playing cards, marked with the symbol ♦.
• Diana6 sensesThe daughter of Latona and Jupiter, and twin sister of Apollo; the goddess of the hunt, associated wild animals and the forest or wilderness, and an…
• Diane1 senseA female given name from Latin, popular in the middle of the 20th century
• diaper9 sensesAn absorbent garment worn around the crotch that retains the wearer's urine and feces, often worn by a baby or young child who is not yet toilet…
• Diaper1 senseA surname.
• diaphragm10 sensesIn mammals, a sheet of muscle separating the thorax from the abdomen, contracted and relaxed in respiration to draw air into and expel air from the…
• diarrhea2 sensesA gastrointestinal disorder characterized by frequent and very soft or watery bowel movements.
• diary4 sensesA daily log of experiences, especially those of the writer.
• Diaz2 sensesA city in Arkansas.
• dibs6 sensesThe right to use or enjoy something exclusively or before anyone else.
• dice6 sensesGaming with one or more dice.
• Dice1 senseA surname.
• dick10 sensesThe penis.
• Dick2 sensesA diminutive of the male given name Richard, also used as a formal given name.
• dickens3 sensesThe devil.
• Dickens2 sensesA surname originating as a patronymic, notably borne by Charles Dickens, English novelist.
• dickhead3 sensesThe glans penis.
• Dickie2 sensesA diminutive of the male given name Dick, a short form of the male given name Richard.
• Dicks1 senseA surname transferred from the given name derived from Dick.
• dicky18 sensesA louse.
• Dicky1 senseA diminutive of the male given name Richard.
• dictate4 sensesAn order or command.
• dictator3 sensesAn authoritarian leader of a country, nation, or government.
• dictatorship4 sensesA type of government where absolute sovereignty is allotted to an individual or a small clique.
• dictionary9 sensesA reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meanings or senses,…
• Dictionary1 senseNickname for a swot or studious person, or one who uses needlessly complicated words.
• didi1 senseA respectful term of address to any familiar older female.
• Didi2 sensesA female given name.
• die34 sensesTo stop living; to become dead; to undergo death.
• diego1 senseA Spanish-speaker, especially from Latin America.
• Diego1 senseA male given name from Spanish Diego.
• Diem1 senseA surname.
• Dies2 sensesOne of the Protogenoi, the Protogenos personification of day. She is the daughter of fellow Protogenoi, Nox/Nyx (Night) and Erebus (Darkness), and…
• diesel7 sensesA fuel derived from petroleum (or other oils) but heavier than gasoline/petrol. Used to power diesel engines which burn this fuel using the heat…
• diet13 sensesThe food and beverage a person or animal consumes.
• Dietrich1 senseA surname from German.
• differ4 sensesNot to have the same traits or characteristics; to be unalike or distinct.
• difference12 sensesThe quality of being different.
• different6 sensesNot the same; exhibiting a difference.
• differently1 senseIn a different way.
• difficult4 sensesHard, not easy, requiring much effort.
• difficulties1 sensea series of frustrations
• difficulty6 sensesThe state of being difficult, or hard to do.
• dig22 sensesTo move hard-packed earth out of the way, especially downward to make a hole with a shovel. Or to drill, or the like, through rocks, roads, or the…
• dIG1 sensedwarf irregular galaxy
• digest15 sensesTo distribute or arrange methodically; to work over and classify; to reduce to portions for ready use or application.
• digestive4 sensesOf, relating to, or functioning in digestion.
• digger8 sensesA large piece of machinery that digs holes or trenches.
• Digger4 sensesA soldier from Australia or New Zealand.
• digging4 sensesThe action performed by a person or thing that digs.
• digital7 sensesHaving to do with digits (fingers or toes); especially, performed with a finger.
• digits1 senseSynonym of telephone number; especially, the one that belongs to a potential dating partner.
• dignified1 senseHaving an attitude or bearing that connotes respectability and poise.
• dignity6 sensesThe state of being dignified or worthy of esteem: elevation of mind or character.
• digs2 sensesLodgings; place of accommodation.
• dilated2 sensesHaving undergone dilation; enlarged.
• dildo7 sensesA device used for sexual penetration or another sexual activity.
• Dildo1 senseA small town on the island of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• dilemma4 sensesA circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
• diligence5 sensesSteady application; industry; careful work involving long-term effort.