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
V 1,650 entries
Page 1 of 9: v – Van Dyck
- v nounA shape resembling the letter.
- V sign nounA sign of victory or peace made by raising the index and middle fingers with the palm outwards.
- V-1 noun(military, historical) An early cruise missile, powered by a pulsejet, used by Germany in the Second World War.
- V-Day proper nounAbbreviation of Victory Day.
- V-E Day proper nounAlternative form of VE Day.
- V-J Day proper nounAlternative form of VJ Day.
- V-shaped adjectiveShaped like the letter V; especially, designating one of the two major types of valley (the other being U-shaped), typically formed by flow…
- v.p. nounan executive officer ranking immediately below a president; may serve in the president's place under certain circumstances
- VA proper noun, noun, adjective(US, government) Initialism of United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
- vac verb, proper nounTo vacuum; to clean with a vacuum cleaner.
- vacancy nounAn unoccupied position or job.
- vacant adjectiveNot occupied; empty.
- vacant lot nounAn unused area of land in an urban area (not built, not a farm, not a park).
- vacantly adverbIn a vacant manner; inanely or foolishly.
- vacate verbTo move out of a dwelling or other property, either by choice or by eviction.
- vacation noun, verbAn extended trip or journey away from home for rest or pleasure.
- vacation home noun(US) A building or piece of property used as a secondary residence for vacation purposes; may be rented to others when not in use.
- vacationer noun(US) Someone who is on vacation
- vacationing nounThe taking of a vacation or holiday.
- vacationist nounSomeone who is on vacation.
- vaccaria nounAny pink of the genus Vaccaria.
- vaccina nounAlternative form of vaccinia (“cowpox”).
- vaccinate verb(transitive) To treat (a person or an animal) with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease.
- vaccinated adjectiveInoculated with a vaccine.
- vaccinating verbpresent participle and gerund of vaccinate
- vaccination nounInoculation with a vaccine, in order to protect from a particular disease or strain of disease.
- vaccinator nounA person or agent that administers vaccines.
- vaccine adjective, noun, verb(medicine) Of, pertaining to, caused by, or characteristic of cowpox.
- vaccinee nounA person who receives a vaccine.
- vaccinia noun(medicine) An infection of cowpox.
- vaccinium noun(botany) Any of the genus Vaccinium of ericaceous shrubs including the various kinds of blueberries and the true cranberries.
- vaccinum noun(immunology) An immunogen, consisting of a suspension of weakened or dead pathogenic cells, injected in order to stimulate the production o…
- vacillant adjective(archaic) That vacillates; wavering; fluctuating; not constant
- vacillate verb(intransitive) To sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate.
- vacillating adjective, nounLiable to vacillate.
- vacillation nounIndecision in speech or action.
- vacillator nounOne who vacillates.
- vacuity nounEmptiness.
- vacuolate verb(cytology) To develop or form vacuoles.
- vacuolated adjectiveHaving vacuoles
- vacuolation noun(medicine, biology) The formation of vacuoles in a cellular tissue.
- vacuole noun(cytology) A large membrane-bound vesicle in a cell's cytoplasm.
- vacuolisation nounAlternative form of vacuolization.
- vacuolization nounAlternative form of vacuolation.
- vacuous adjectiveEmpty; void; lacking meaningful content.
- vacuously adverbIn a vacuous manner, lacking thought.
- vacuousness nounBeing empty.
- vacuum noun, verbA region of space that contains no matter.
- vacuum aspiration noun(medicine) A method of inducing abortion, during the first trimester of pregnancy, in which the embryo and placenta are drawn off through a…
- vacuum bag nounA bag used in bagged vacuum cleaners to collect the dirt.
- vacuum bomb nounAn aerosol bomb, a type of thermobaric weapon
- vacuum bottle nounSynonym of vacuum flask.
- vacuum chamber noun(American spelling) A compartment which can be depressurized to the point where no air exists inside of it. (This entry is a translation hu…
- vacuum cleaner nounA device that uses suction, and often agitation, in order to remove dirt and other debris from carpets and hard floors.
- vacuum flask noun(chemistry) A Dewar vessel, a scientific instrument used to store liquified gases.
- vacuum gauge noun(physics) An instrument that is used to measure very low pressures of gases.
- vacuum pump nounA piece of equipment used for extraction of gas or vapour from an enclosed space, leaving the container with a partial vacuum.
- vacuum tube noun(electronics) A type of electron tube that controls electron current through vacuum between electrodes within a sealed container, usually o…
- vacuum-clean verb(transitive) To clean with a vacuum cleaner.
- vade mecum nounA referential book such as a handbook or manual, especially one that is pocketable.
- Vaduz proper nounA town and municipality, the capital of Liechtenstein.
- vagabond noun, verb, adjectiveA person on a trip of indeterminate destination and/or length of time.
- vagabondage nounThe state or characteristic of being a vagabond.
- vagal adjective(anatomy) Of or relating to the vagus nerve.
- vagary nounAn erratic, unpredictable occurrence or action.
- vagile adjective(biology) Free to move about.
- vagina noun(anatomy) A sex organ for copulation and birth, found in female therian mammals, consisting of a passage between the vulval vestibule and t…
- vaginal adjective(relational) Of, relating to, or affecting the vagina.
- vaginal birth nounBirth via the vagina (as opposed to caesarean section).
- vaginal discharge noun(medicine) Synonym of vaginal fluid.
- vaginismus noun(pathology) A painful muscular contraction of the vagina when attempting to insert something, such as a tampon or a penis, into it.
- vaginitis noun(medicine) Inflammation of the vagina.
- vaginocele nounhernia projecting into the vagina
- vagrancy nounthe state of being a vagrant
- vagrant noun, adjective(dated) A person who wanders from place to place; a nomad, a wanderer.
- vague adjective, noun, verbNot clearly expressed; stated in indefinite terms.
- vaguely adverbIn a vague manner.
- vagueness noun(uncountable) The condition of being imprecise or unclear in meaning: vague.
- vagus noun(Roman Catholicism) A homeless person or vagrant.
- vagus nerve noun(neuroanatomy) Either of the tenth pair of cranial nerves which extend from the medulla oblongata down into the abdomen. Branches of these …
- vail noun, verb, proper noun(obsolete) Profit; return; proceeds.
- vain adjective, verbOverly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
- vainglorious adjectivePossessing excessive vanity or unwarranted pride.
- vainglory noun, verbExcessive vanity.
- vainly adverbIn a vain pursuit; to no avail.
- Vaisakha proper noun(Hinduism) The second month in the Hindu lunar calendar.
- Vaishnava noun(Hinduism) A worshipper of the god Vishnu in any of his incarnations.
- Vaishnavism proper nounA branch of Hinduism focusing on the worship of Vishnu.
- vaisnavism nounHindu sect worshiping of Vishnu
- Vaisya nounAlternative form of Vaishya.
- vajra noun(countable) A Buddhist ceremonial mace and symbol, usually interpreted as both a diamond and a thunderbolt.
- valance nounA short curtain that usually hangs along the top edge of a window.
- valdecoxib noun(pharmacology) A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug formerly used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual pain.
- Valdez proper noun(countable) A surname from Spanish.
- Valdosta proper nounA city, the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States, population 43,724 (2000 U.S. Census)
- vale noun, interjection, proper noun(chiefly poetic) A valley.
- valediction nounA speech made when leaving or parting company.
- valedictorian noun(US, Canada, properly) The individual in a graduating class who delivers the farewell or valedictory address, often the person who graduate…
- valedictory adjective, nounOf or pertaining to a valediction (“an act of parting company; a speech made when parting company”); designed for or suitable to an occasio…
- valence noun, proper nounThe combining capacity of an atom, functional group, or radical determined by the number of atoms of hydrogen with which it will unite, or …
- valence electron noun(chemistry) Any of the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom (the valence shell); capable of forming bonds with other atoms.
- valencia noun, proper nounA kind of woven fabric for waistcoats, having the weft of wool and the warp of silk or cotton.
- Valencia orange nounA cultivar of orange, named after Valencia, Spain
- Valenciennes proper noun, nounA town in Nord department, Hauts-de-France, France.
- Valenciennes lace nounAn open, even French bobbin lace made on a lace pillow in one piece.
- valency noun(uncountable, by extension) The capacity of something to combine with other things, as for example the capability of a vaccine as measured …
- valent adjective(chemistry, linguistics) Having valence.
- valentine noun, proper nounAn expression of affection, especially romantic affection, usually in the form of greeting card, gift, or message given the object of one's…
- Valentine's Day proper nounSynonym of Saint Valentine's Day.
- valerian noun, proper nounA hardy perennial flowering plant, Valeriana officinalis, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers.
- Valeriana proper nounAn archaeological site in Campeche, Mexico.
- valerianaceae noungenus of mostly herbs having a characteristic fetid odor
- valerianella noungenus of Old World annual herbs widely naturalized
- valeric acid noun(organic chemistry) A short chain aliphatic carboxylic acid, CH₃(CH₂)₃COOH, obtained from the roots of valerian; used in perfume, flavourin…
- valet noun, verbA man's personal male attendant, responsible for his clothes and appearance.
- valet de chambre nounAlternative form of valet-de-chambre.
- valet parking nounA service in which a parking attendant (called a valet) parks your car for you.
- Valetta proper nounAlternative form of Valletta.
- valetudinarian adjective, nounSickly, infirm, of ailing health; related to ill health.
- valetudinarianism nounThe state, condition or habits of a valetudinarian; a state of feeble health; infirmity.
- valetudinary adjective, noun(obsolete) Sickly, infirm, valetudinarian.
- valgus adjectiveknock-kneed (having the distal part of a limb displaced or twisted away from the midline of the body)
- Valhalla proper noun, noun(Norse mythology) The home of half of all warriors who died gloriously in battle as well as many of the Æsir.
- vali proper noun(Hinduism) King of Kishkindha, a son of Indra and the elder brother of Sugriva in Ramayana.
- valiance nounThe quality of being valiant; heroism, bravery or valour.
- valiancy noun(now rare) Valour, bravery.
- valiant adjective, nounPossessing or showing courage or determination; brave, heroic.
- valiantly adverbIn a valiant manner; showing bravery.
- valid adjectiveWell-grounded or justifiable, pertinent.
- validate verb, adjective(transitive) To render valid.
- validated adjectiveDeclared or made valid.
- validating verbpresent participle and gerund of validate
- validation nounThe act of validating something.
- validatory adjectiveThat serves to validate
- validity nounThe state of being valid, authentic or genuine.
- validly adverbIn a valid manner.
- validness nounThe state of being valid.
- valine noun(biochemistry) An essential amino acid 2-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid found in most animal proteins.
- valise nounA piece of hand luggage such as a suitcase or travelling bag.
- Valium noun(trademark, pharmacology) The drug diazepam.
- valkyrie noun(Norse mythology) Any of the female attendants of Odin, figures said to guide fallen warriors from the battlefield to Valhalla.
- Valle d'Aosta proper nounSynonym of Aosta Valley: An autonomous region of northwestern Italy, with a significant fraction of the population speaking Franco-Provença…
- vallecula noun(anatomy, botany) A depression, channel, or groove.
- Valletta proper nounThe capital city of Malta.
- valley noun, verb, proper nounAn elongated depression cast between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it.
- valley fever noun(pathology) Coccidioidomycosis, a mammalian fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii.
- valley girl noun, proper noun(US, slang) A girl or young woman from the San Fernando Valley, especially when stereotyped as superficial and material.
- vallisneria nouneelgrass; eel grass
- Valmy proper nounA census-designated place in Humboldt County, Nevada, United States.
- Valois proper nounA surname from French.
- valor nounUS standard spelling of valour.
- valorous adjectiveHaving or displaying valour.
- valorously adverbIn a valorous manner.
- valorousness nounThe quality of being valorous; valour.
- valour nounIndividually sustained verve or passion.
- Valparaiso proper nounA city in Okaloosa County, Florida.
- valproic acid noun(organic chemistry, pharmacology) A synthetic crystalline compound with anticonvulsant properties, used (generally as salts) in the treatme…
- valsartan noun(pharmacology) An antihypertensive drug C₂₄H₂₉N₅O₃ that is taken orally and blocks the action of angiotensin II. It is marketed under the t…
- valse noun, verbArchaic form of waltz.
- valuable adjective, nounHaving a great value.
- valuableness nounvaluability
- valuate verbTo estimate the value of something; to appraise or to make a valuation.
- valuation nounAn estimation of something's worth.
- valuator nounA person who estimates the value of something; an appraiser.
- value noun, verbThe quality that renders something desirable or valuable; worth.
- value judgement nounAlternative spelling of value judgment.
- value judgment noun(philosophy) A judgment of the rightness or wrongness of something, based on a particular set of values or on a particular value system.
- value statement nounA non-descriptive statement.
- value-added tax nounAlternative form of value added tax.
- value-system nounthe principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group
- valued adjectiveHaving a value, esteemed.
- valueless adjectiveHaving no value; worthless.
- valuelessness nounLack of value; the state or condition of being valueless.
- valuer nounA person who valuates; an assessor or appraiser.
- values noun, verbplural of value
- valve noun, verbA device that controls the flow of a gas or fluid through a space, such as a pipe, manifold, or plenum.
- valved adjectiveHaving valves.
- valvelet nounA small valve.
- valvotomy noun(surgery) An incision into a narrowed valve of the heart, in order to restore the proper flow of blood
- valvula noun(anatomy) A small valve.
- valvular adjective(medicine, biology) Of or pertaining to valves, such as those of the heart.
- valvule nounA small valve.
- valvulitis noun(pathology) Inflammation of a valve, especially a heart valve.
- valvulotomy nounA valvotomy: an incision to relieve stenosis of a valve, especially in the heart
- vambrace noun(historical) The piece of armor designed to protect the arm from the elbow to the wrist.
- vamoose verb(ambitransitive, slang) To run away (from); to flee.
- vamp noun, verbThe top part of a boot or shoe, above the sole and welt and in front of the ankle seam, that covers the instep and toes; the front part of …
- vamp up verbTo repair; mend.
- vamper noun, verbOne who vamps; one who creates or repairs by piecing old things together; a cobbler.
- vampire noun, verbA mythological creature (usually humanoid and undead) said to feed on the blood or life energy of the living.
- vampire bat nounAny of the three small bats of the subfamily Desmodontinae, native to Central and South America, which use their teeth to cut the skin of l…
- vampirism noun(pathology) Systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease)
- van noun, verb, proper nounA covered motor vehicle used to carry goods or (normally less than ten) persons, usually roughly cuboid in shape, Depending on the type of …
- Van Allen proper nounA surname from Dutch.
- Van Allen belt noun(astrophysics) Synonym of Van Allen radiation belt.
- Van Buren proper nounA surname from Dutch.
- Van de Graaff noun(physics) Ellipsis of Van de Graaff generator.
- Van de Graaff generator noun(physics) A device in which an electric charge is built up on a large spherical electrode by means of a rapidly moving belt.
- van der Waals proper nounA surname from Dutch. Alternative form of Vanderwaals.
- Van Dyck nounAlternative form of vandyke.