Pronunciation guide: IPA symbols, stress and word endings
Vowels
| iː | see | ɪ | sit | e / ɛ | bed | æ | cat |
| ɑː | father | ɒ | hot (UK) | ɔː | law | ʊ | put |
| uː | too | ʌ | cup | ɜː | bird | ə | about |
| eɪ | day | aɪ | my | ɔɪ | boy | aʊ | now |
| əʊ / oʊ | go (UK / US) | ɪə | near | eə | hair | ʊə | tour |
Consonants that look unusual
| θ | thin | ð | this | ʃ | she | ʒ | measure |
| tʃ | church | dʒ | judge | ŋ | sing | j | yes |
p b t d k g f v s z h m n l r w sound as in ordinary English spelling.
Marks
- ˈ main stress, before the stressed syllable: /ˈwɔːtə/ water · ˌ lighter (secondary) stress: /ˌʌndəˈstænd/ understand
- ː a long vowel · (r) an r said only in accents that pronounce it (most American, Scottish, Irish)
Common word endings
- -s / -es (plurals; he/she form of verbs): /s/ after voiceless sounds (cats), /z/ after voiced (dogs), /ɪz/ after s, z, sh, ch, j sounds (buses, watches). Spelling: -es after s, x, z, ch, sh; consonant + y → -ies (city → cities).
- -ed (past): /t/ after voiceless sounds (walked), /d/ after voiced (played), /ɪd/ after t or d (wanted). Spelling: love → loved, stop → stopped, carry → carried.
- -ing: make → making, run → running, see → seeing.
- Irregular: go, went, gone · be, was, been · see, saw, seen · man → men · child → children · mouse → mice.
- Older (King James) forms: -eth = -s (he loveth = he loves) · -est with “thou” (thou lovest) · spake = spoke.
English Dictionary · 107,383 entries · Sources & licences
M 6,074 entries
Page 1 of 31: m – madras
- m numeral, noun, proper nounThe thirteenth numeral symbol of the English alphabet, called em and written in the Latin script.
- M-1 nounThe Garand semiautomatic rifle, also named the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1.
- M-theory noun(physics) A generalized theory of eleven-dimensional supergravity that attempts to unify the five superstring theories
- m.m. adverbAbbreviation of mutatis mutandis.
- M1 noun(US, money supply) The amount of cash in circulation plus the amount in bank accounts.
- M2 noun(US) (money supply) The amount of cash in circulation plus bank accounts, savings accounts and small deposits.
- M3 noun(US) The amount of cash, all bank accounts, etc., plus foreign currency in circulation.
- ma noun, proper noun(colloquial, and in direct address) mother, mama
- ma'am noun, verbA form of address for a woman: contraction of madam.
- Maalox proper noun(pharmacology) A brand-name, which was owned by Sanofi before being discontinued, of over-the-counter antacid medicine.
- maar noun(geology, volcanology) A broad volcanic crater, usually filled with water to form a lake.
- maarianhamina nouna town that is the chief port of the Aland islands
- maath noun(cooking) A kind of large, thick and sweet fried puri coated with sugar syrup.
- mac noun, proper noun(UK, US, Canada, Australia, slang, offensive, derogatory, ethnic slur) A person of Scottish descent (used in driving culture to denigrate s…
- macabre adjectiveRepresenting or personifying death.
- macaca noun(dated) Any of a group of Old World monkeys of the genus Macaca; a macaque.
- macadam noun, verb, proper noun(uncountable) The surface of a road consisting of layers of crushed stone (usually tar-coated for modern traffic).
- macadamia nounAn evergreen tree, of the genus Macadamia, native to Australia and cultivated in Hawaii.
- macadamia nut nounThe hard-shelled edible seed of the macadamia tree.
- macadamise verbAlternative form of macadamize.
- macadamize verb(American and Oxford British spelling) To cover (a road) with macadam (small, broken stones) so as to form a smooth, hard, convex surface.
- macamba nountropical American feather palm having a swollen spiny trunk and edible nuts
- macao proper nounA city, special administrative region, and peninsula in China, west of Hong Kong
- macaque nounAny of a group of Old World monkeys of the genus Macaca.
- macaroni noun, adjective(uncountable) A type of pasta in the form of short tubes, typically boiled and served in soup, with a sauce, or in melted cheese; a dish of…
- macaroni and cheese noun(US, Canada) Alternative form of macaroni cheese.
- macaroni salad nounA type of pasta salad, served cold-made with cooked elbow macaroni and usually prepared with mayonnaise.
- macaroni wheat nounSynonym of durum wheat.
- macaronic adjective, noun(archaic) Jumbled, mixed.
- macaroon nounA soft biscuit or cookie prepared with almond or coconut dough.
- MacArthur proper nounA surname from Scottish Gaelic.
- Macau proper nounA city, special administrative region, and peninsula in China, west of Hong Kong.
- Macaulay proper nounA surname from Scottish Gaelic of Gaelic origin.
- macaw nounAny of various parrots of the genera Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Orthopsittaca, Primolius and Diopsittaca of Central and South America…
- Macbeth proper nounA William Shakespeare play, about the Scottish royal family.
- MacDowell proper nounA surname.
- mace noun, verb, proper nounA heavy fighting club.
- macebearer nounAlternative spelling of mace-bearer.
- macedoine nounA mixture of diced vegetables or fruit served as a salad.
- Macedon proper nounAncient Macedonia.
- Macedonia proper nounA geographic region in Southeastern Europe in the Balkans which includes the Republic of North Macedonia, the region of Macedonia in Greece…
- Macedonian adjective, nounOf or pertaining to Macedonia or its people or language.
- macer nounA mace bearer; specifically, an officer of a court in Scotland.
- macerate verb, nounTo soften (something) or separate it into pieces by (or as if by) soaking it in a heated or unheated liquid.
- maceration nounSoaking and softening (in combination), plus or minus dissolving.
- macerative adjectiveCausing or relating to maceration.
- MacGregor proper noun(countable) A surname.
- MacGuffin noun, proper noun(narratology) A plot element or other device used to catch the audience's attention and maintain suspense, but whose exact nature has fairl…
- Mach proper noun, nounA surname from Czech.
- Mach number noun(physics) The ratio of the speed of a body to that of sound in the surrounding medium.
- machaeranthera nounwildflowers of western North America
- machete noun, verbA sword-like tool used for cutting large plants with a chopping motion, or used as a weapon.
- Machiavelli proper noun, nounNiccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), Italian statesman and writer, whose work The Prince (1532) advises that acquiring and exercising power may…
- machiavellian adjective, nounAttempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods, especially in politics.
- Machiavellianism noun(philosophy, politics) The political philosophy of Machiavelli, especially the realist doctrine which emphasizes the maintenance of the sta…
- machicolate verbTo furnish with machicolations.
- machicolation noun(architecture) An opening between corbels that support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, of a for…
- machilid nounA wingless insect in the Machilidae family, able to jump long distances when disturbed.
- machilidae nounjumping bristletails
- machinate verb(ambitransitive) To devise a plot or secret plan; to conspire.
- machination noun(chiefly in the plural) A clever scheme or artful plot, usually crafted for evil purposes.
- machinator nounOne who machinates, or forms a scheme with evil designs; a plotter or artful schemer.
- machine noun, verbA device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.
- machine code noun(computer science) A system of instructions and data directly understandable by a computer's central processing unit.
- machine gun nounA type of fully automatic firearm that fires bullets in rapid succession by a single action of the trigger and is capable of sustained fire.
- machine gunner nounAlternative spelling of machine-gunner.
- machine language noun(programming) The set of instructions that a particular computer is designed to execute; generated from an assembly language by an assemble…
- machine pistol nounA lightweight submachine gun, usually capable of being fired with one hand (but sometimes with a second grip at the front of the barrel and…
- machine politician noun(US) A politician who belongs to a small clique that controls a political party for private rather than public ends.
- machine screw nounA screw designed for metal or a similar material, usually with no point and a relatively fine thread, intended for prepared, threaded holes.
- machine shop nounA facility that has machine tools for working with metals or other relatively hard materials, such as some polymers. Various kinds of machi…
- machine tool noun(machining, manufacturing) A tool, typically a power-driven machine and typically stationary, used especially for machining (removing hard …
- machine translation noun(translation studies) The act of translating something from one language to another by means of a machine, especially a computer.
- machine wash verb, noun(transitive) To wash using a machine; especially, to wash (clothes) in a washing machine.
- machine-accessible adjectivestored in, controlled by, or in direct communication with a central computer
- machine-controlled adjectiveoperated by automation
- machine-driven adjectiveoperated by automation
- machine-made adjectiveProduced or assisted by machinery.
- machine-wash verbAlternative form of machine wash.
- machinelike adjectiveResembling a machine; mechanical in form
- machinery nounThe machines constituting a production apparatus, in a plant etc., collectively.
- machinist nounA constructor of machines and engines; someone knowledgeable about machines.
- machismo noun(informal) An excessive masculine pride, exaggerated masculinity.
- machmeter noun(aviation) An instrument that measures the speed of an aircraft relative to that of sound and displays it in Mach numbers.
- macho adjective, noun(informal) Masculine in an overly assertive or aggressive way. Very masculine.
- macho-man nouna man who is virile and sexually active
- Machu Picchu proper nounAn ancient Incan city and archaeological site in Peru.
- Machupo virus nounA virus that causes Bolivian hemorrhagic fever.
- macintosh proper noun, nounA Scottish surname from Scottish Gaelic.
- mack noun, verb, proper noun(slang) An individual skilled in the art of seduction using verbal skills; a seducer
- Mackem noun, proper noun(sometimes derogatory) A native or inhabitant of Sunderland, England.
- Mackenzie proper noun, nounA surname from Scottish Gaelic of Scottish origin.
- mackerel nounCertain smaller edible fish, principally true mackerel and Spanish mackerel in family Scombridae, often speckled,
- mackerel shark nounAny shark of the order Lamniformes, having two dorsal fins an anal fin, five gill slits and eyes without nictitating membrane
- mackerel sky nounA sky filled with a regular pattern of altocumulus clouds somewhat resembling the skin of a mackerel.
- mackinaw noun, proper nounA heavy woolen cloth.
- mackinaw boat noun(historical) A flat-bottomed cargo boat, resembling a canoe, often schooner-rigged, formerly used on the Great Lakes and the Missouri River…
- mackinaw coat nounA mackinaw coat.
- mackintosh nounA waterproof long coat made of rubberized cloth.
- mackle verb(UK, dialect, transitive) To assemble in a makeshift manner; to cobble together.
- macleaya noun(botany) Any member of the genus Macleaya of flowering plants in the poppy family, native to China and Japan.
- macleish nounUnited States poet (1892-1982)
- Macleod proper noun(countable) A surname from Irish, A surname from Scottish Gaelic, A surname from Cree
- maclura nounyellowwood trees or shrubs
- macon noun, proper noun(rowing) A type of oar blade with an elliptical shape which is squared off at the end, with a ridgeline running down the centre of the blad…
- maconnais nounfine Burgundy wine usually white and dry
- macoun nounsimilar to McIntosh; juicy and late-ripening
- macowanites nouna stout-stemmed genus of fungus belonging to the family Secotiaceae having fruiting bodies that never expand completely
- macramé noun, verbA form of decorative textile made by knotting and weaving.
- macrencephalic adjectiveHaving a large brain.
- macrencephalous adjectivemacrencephalic
- macrencephaly nounThe condition of having an enlarged brain, usually as a component of any of various congenital syndromes of altered development.
- macro adjective, noun, verb, proper nounVery large in scale or scope.
- macrobiotic adjectiveOf a lifestyle incorporating a dietary regimen including locally grown, seasonal, natural foods, or of the diet itself.
- macrobiotics nounThe art or science of prolonging life, of living a long life.
- macrocephalic adjectiveHaving an abnormally large or elongated head.
- macrocephalon nounmaleos
- macrocephalous adjectiveHaving a large head.
- macrocephaly noun(medicine) A condition in which the head is abnormally large.
- macrocheira noungiant crabs of Japan
- macroclemys nounincludes the alligator snapping turtle
- macrocosm noun(philosophy) A complex structure, such as a society, considered as a single entity that contains numerous similar, smaller-scale structures.
- macrocosmic adjectiveOf or pertaining to the macrocosm (universe).
- macrocyte noun(hematology, cytology) an unusually large red blood cell that is associated with pernicious anemia
- macrocytosis nounThe presence of macrocytes in the blood.
- macrodactylus nouna genus of Melolonthidae
- macrodantin nounderivative of nitrofuran used as an antibacterial medicine (trade name Macrodantin) effective against a broad range of Gram-positive and Gr…
- macroeconomic adjectiveRelating to macroeconomics.
- macroeconomics nounThe study of the entire economy in terms of the total amount of goods and services produced, total income earned, the level of employment o…
- macroeconomist nounAn expert in macroeconomics, or large-scale economics.
- macroevolution nounLarge-scale patterns or processes in the history of life, including the origins of novel organism designs, evolutionary trends, adaptive ra…
- macroglia nounAny of various glial cells that are larger than microglia.
- macroglossia noun(medicine) Enlargement or hypertrophy of the tongue; an excessively large tongue.
- macromolecular adjectiveOf or relating to a macromolecule
- macromolecule noun(organic chemistry, biochemistry) A very large molecule, especially used in reference to large biological polymers (e.g. nucleic acids and …
- macron noun, proper noun(orthography) A short, straight, horizontal diacritical mark (◌̄) placed over a letter, usually to indicate that the pronunciation of a vow…
- macronectes noungiant petrels
- macrophage noun(immunology, cytology) A white blood cell that phagocytizes necrotic cell debris and foreign material, including viruses, bacteria, and tat…
- macropodidae nounkangaroos; wallabies
- macropus nountype genus of the family Macropodidae: typical kangaroos and wallabies
- macrorhamphosidae nounbellows fishes
- macroscopic adjectiveVisible to the unassisted eye.
- macroscopical adjectivemacroscopic
- macroscopically adverbIn a macroscopic manner or context.
- macrosporangium noun(botany) A megasporangium; sporangium or conceptacle containing only large spores.
- macrospore nounOne of the specially large spores of certain flowerless plants, as Selaginella, etc.
- macrothelypteris nounmedium to large terrestrial ferns of tropical Asia to Polynesia and Australia; naturalized in Americas
- macrotis nouna genus of Peramelidae
- macrotus nounlarge-eared greyish bat of southern California and northwestern Mexico
- macrotyloma nounannual or perennial vines of Africa and India and Australia; plants often placed in genus Dolichos
- macrouridae noungrenadiers
- macrozamia nounAny plant of the Macrozamia taxonomic genus.
- macrozoarces nouna genus of Zoarcidae
- macruridae noungrenadiers
- macula noun(anatomy) An oval yellow spot near the center of the retina of the human eye, histologically defined as having two or more layers of gangli…
- macula lutea noun(anatomy) macula (yellow spot in the human eye)
- macular degeneration noun(pathology) A disease of the retina of the eye resulting in loss of central vision.
- maculate verb, adjectiveTo spot; to stain; to blur.
- maculation noun(obsolete) The act of spotting; a spot; a blemish.
- macule noun, verbA spot.
- macumba noun(religion) A type of Afro-Brazilian folk religion combining elements of Roman Catholicism with traditional African religious beliefs and pr…
- macushla noun(Ireland) My darling, my dear.
- mad adjective, adverb, verb, proper noun(chiefly UK) Insane; crazy; mentally deranged.
- mad apple noun(now rare) Eggplant.
- mad cow disease noun(colloquial, veterinary medicine, pathology) Synonym of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
- mad-dog skullcap nounA plant, Scutellaria lateriflora
- Madagascan noun, adjectiveA native or inhabitant of Madagascar.
- Madagascar proper noun, nounAn island and country off the east coast of Africa. Official name: Republic of Madagascar. Capital: Antananarivo.
- Madagascar jasmine nounStephanotis floribunda, a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to Madagascar.
- Madagascar periwinkle nounThe rosy periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus.
- Madagascar plum nounSynonym of Indian plum (“Flacourtia indica”).
- madake nounTimber bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides)
- madam noun, verbA polite form of address for a woman or lady.
- madame nounA title equivalent to Mrs. or Ms., used for French-speaking women and (by custom) certain other individuals. It is abbreviated as Mme.
- madcap noun, adjectiveA person who acts in a capricious, impulsive, or reckless manner.
- madden verb, proper noun(transitive) To make angry.
- maddened verbsimple past and past participle of madden
- maddening adjectiveCausing frustration or anger.
- madder noun, adjective, verbA herbaceous plant, Rubia tinctorum, native to Asia, cultivated for a red-purple dye (alizarin) obtained from the root.
- madder family noun(botany, dated) Synonym of Rubiaceae
- madderwort nounRubia tinctorum (common madder).
- made noun(UK dialectal or obsolete) A grub or maggot.
- made-to-order adjectiveMade for a specific individual, but not always to individual specifications.
- made-up adjectiveInvented or fabricated.
- madeira proper noun, nounAn archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous region of Portugal.
- Madeira cake nounA simple cake, rather like a pound cake, with added lemon zest but no fruit; traditionally eaten with a glass of Madeira wine.
- madeiras proper nounMadeira (archipelago).
- mademoiselle noun, verbA courtesy title for an unmarried woman in France or a French-speaking country.
- madhouse noun(obsolete) A house where insane persons are confined; an insane asylum.
- Madia proper nounA surname from Italian.
- Madian proper nounA proper name in the King James New Testament (at ACT 7:29).
- madison noun, proper noun(cycle racing) A track cycling relay race in which team members take turns while racing round the track for the largest number of laps, and…
- madly adverbwithout reason or understanding; wildly.
- madman nounA man who is insane or mentally disturbed.
- madnep noun(obsolete) The masterwort (Peucedanum ostruthium).
- madness nounThe state of being mad; insanity; mental disease.
- madonna noun, proper nounA representation of the Virgin Mary.
- Madonna lily nounLilium candidum, a true lily native to Greece, the western Balkans and the Middle East.
- madoqua noun(zoology, obsolete) A small Abyssinian antelope, Salt's dik-dik (Madoqua saltiana)
- madras noun, proper nounA brightly colored cotton fabric with a checked or striped pattern.