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English

American  
[ing-glish, -lish] / ˈɪŋ glɪʃ, -lɪʃ /

adjective

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

  2. belonging or relating to, or spoken or written in, the English language.

    a high school English class;

    an English translation of a Spanish novel.

  3. 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.


noun

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

  2. 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). E

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

  4. a specific variety of the English language, as that of a particular time, place, or person.

    Shakespearean English;

    American English.

  5. simple, straightforward language.

    What does all that jargon mean in English?

  6. Sports.

    1. a spinning motion imparted to a ball, especially in billiards.

    2. body English.

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

  8. a grade of calendered paper having a smooth matte finish.

  9. (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.

verb (used with object)

  1. to translate into English.

    to English Euripides.

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

  3. (sometimes lowercase) to impart spin to (a ball).

English British  
/ ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ /

noun

  1. 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

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

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

  4. an old style of black-letter typeface

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

"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

adjective

  1. denoting, using, or relating to the English language

  2. relating to or characteristic of England or the English

"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

verb

  1. archaic to translate or adapt into English

"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
English Idioms  

Other Word Forms

  • Englishness noun
  • anti-English adjective
  • half-English adjective
  • non-English adjective
  • pre-English adjective
  • pro-English adjective
  • pseudo-English adjective
  • quasi-English adjective

Etymology

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; Angle, Anglic, -ish 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But in both countries, there seems to be a considerable reluctance to have higher or lower income tax than across the English border.

From BBC

No team in English soccer oscillates faster between a romp to certain glory and imminent collapse than Arsenal.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. requires a commercial driver to read, speak and comprehend English at a basic level to adequately communicate with law enforcement and the public in case of an emergency.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 35-year-old striker, who has joined Qatari side Al‑Sailiya, says owners of English clubs were wary of signing him following his accident in December 2024, which left him with multiple leg fractures.

From BBC

"The Border Patrol officers had no protocol of what to do with the disabled man who doesn't speak English, who is confused and lost," he said.

From BBC