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2153 words

spots noun (a spot, spots); verb (spot, spots, spotted, spotting)
Small round marks or patches of a different colour on something, like the spots on a ladybird or a Dalmatian.
spotted adjective (spotted); verb form (past of spot: spot, spots, spotted, spotting)
Spotted means covered with a pattern of spots or dots: «a spotted dog».
spotter noun (a spotter, spotters)
A spotter is a person who watches out for something, especially as a hobby: a train spotter, a bird spotter, a plane spotter.
spotting verb, -ing form of spot (spot, spots, spotted, spotting); noun (spotting, uncountable — e.g. bird spotting)
Spotting means noticing or seeing something, often something hard to find.
spotty adjective (spotty, spottier, spottiest)
Spotty means covered with spots or dots, like a spotty dress.
spouse noun (a spouse, spouses)
Your spouse is the person you are married to: your husband or your wife.
spout noun (a spout, spouts); verb (spout, spouts, spouted, spouting)
A spout is a short tube or lip on a teapot, kettle or jug that liquid is poured out of.
spouting verb (spout, spouts, spouted, spouting — -ing form); noun (spouting — Australia, NZ)
Pouring or shooting out in a strong stream, like water from a fountain or a whale's blowhole.
sprain verb (sprain, sprains, sprained, spraining); noun (a sprain, sprains)
To sprain your ankle, wrist or knee is to hurt it by twisting it suddenly, so the joint swells and is painful.
sprat noun (sprats)
1) A sprat is a small sea fish, like a herring but smaller.
sprawl verb (sprawl, sprawls, sprawled, sprawling); noun (sprawl; urban sprawl)
To sprawl is to sit or lie with your arms and legs spread out in a relaxed or careless way.
spray noun (spray, a spray, sprays); verb (spray, sprays, sprayed, spraying)
Spray is many tiny drops of liquid flying through the air, like sea spray from waves.
spread verb (spread, spreads, spread, spreading); noun (a spread, spreads)
To open or stretch out something: "spread your arms".
spreading verb (spread, spreads, spread, spreading — "spreading" is the -ing form)
Covering a surface with a thin layer of something soft, like spreading butter on toast.
spree noun (a spree, sprees)
A short time when you do a lot of something you enjoy, without holding back: a shopping spree, a spending spree.
sprig noun (sprigs)
1) A sprig is a small twig or shoot with leaves or flowers on it.
sprightly adjective (sprightlier, sprightliest)
1) Sprightly means lively, quick and full of life and cheer.
spring noun (spring, springs); verb (spring, springs, sprang, sprung, springing)
Spring is the season after winter and before summer, when plants start to grow.
springbok noun (a springbok, springboks; the Springboks)
A springbok is a small, fast antelope (a deer-like animal) of southern Africa, brown and white, famous for jumping high into the air.
springtail noun (a springtail, springtails)
1) A tiny, wingless, six-legged animal that lives in soil and leaf litter and jumps by flicking a spring-like tail under its body.
springtime noun (springtime)
1) The season of spring, between winter and summer, when plants start to grow, flowers bloom and many baby animals are born.
springy adjective (springy, springier, springiest)
Springy means bouncy: it goes back to its shape after you press, squash or stretch it, like a spring.
sprinkle verb (sprinkle, sprinkles, sprinkled, sprinkling); noun (a sprinkle; sprinkles)
To sprinkle is to scatter small drops or bits over something, like salt, sugar, water or seeds.
sprinkler noun (a sprinkler, sprinklers)
1) A device that sprays water over grass or plants. 2) A device on a ceiling that sprays water automatically when there is a fire.
sprint verb (sprint, sprints, sprinted, sprinting); noun (a sprint, sprints)
To sprint is to run as fast as you can for a short distance.
sprinter noun (a sprinter, sprinters)
A sprinter is a runner who races over short distances very fast.
sprit noun (sprits)
A sprit is a thin, stiff stalk of rush or reed, used to tie things, such as halters for cattle.
sprite noun (a sprite, sprites); brand (Sprite)
A small magical creature like a fairy or elf in stories, often playful or mischievous.
sprocket noun (a sprocket, sprockets)
1) A sprocket is a wheel with teeth around its edge that fit into the links of a chain or the holes in a film or tape, so that it can turn…
sprout verb (sprout, sprouts, sprouted, sprouting); noun (a sprout, sprouts)
To sprout is to start to grow: a seed sprouts when it puts out its first shoot.
spruce noun (a spruce, spruces; spruce — uncountable for the wood); adjective (spruce, sprucer, sprucest); verb (spruce up, spruces up, spruced up, sprucing up)
A spruce is a tall evergreen tree with short needles and hanging cones; it often grows in cold places.
spud noun (a spud, spuds) — informal
1) (informal, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) A spud is a potato. 2) (old, tool) A spud is a small digging tool with a narrow blade, for…
spur noun (a spur, spurs); verb (spur, spurs, spurred, spurring)
A spur is a small metal spike or wheel on the back of a rider's boot, used to push a horse to go faster.
spurt verb (spurt, spurts, spurted, spurting); noun (a spurt, spurts)
To spurt is for a liquid to shoot out suddenly and fast in a stream, like water from a burst pipe.
sputnik noun (Sputnik, a sputnik, sputniks)
Sputnik was the first man-made satellite sent into orbit around the Earth, by the Soviet Union.
sputter verb (sputters, sputtered, sputtering)
1) To sputter is to make short, hissing or spitting noises, as a fire or a match does when it burns.
spy noun (a spy, spies); verb (spy, spies, spied, spying)
A spy is a person who secretly collects information about another country, group or person.
squabble verb (squabble, squabbles, squabbled, squabbling); noun (a squabble, squabbles)
1) To squabble is to argue noisily about something small and unimportant. 2) A squabble is a small, silly argument.
squad noun (a squad, squads)
A squad is a small group of people who work or train together, especially a sports team or a group of soldiers or police.
squadron noun (squadrons)
1) A squadron is a group of ships, aircraft or soldiers that fight together as one unit.
squall verb (squalls, squalled, squalling); noun (squalls)
1) To squall is to cry out loudly and harshly, as in fright or anger. 2) A squall is a sudden, strong gust of wind, often with rain.
squalling verb (squall, squalls, squalled, squalling)
To squall is to cry or scream loudly and harshly, the way a baby or an angry animal does.
squander verb (squander, squanders, squandered, squandering)
To squander something is to waste it foolishly, especially money, time or a chance.
square noun, adjective, verb (square, squares, squared, squaring); adverb (square — directly)
A square is a flat shape with four equal sides and four right angles (square corners).
squared adjective, verb form (squared; from square)
Squared means multiplied by itself: five squared is 25, written 5².
squash verb (squash, squashes, squashed, squashing); noun (squash — a sport, a drink; a squash, squashes — a vegetable)
To press or crush something so it becomes flat or out of shape: squash a can, a squashed sandwich.
squashy adjective (squashy, squashier, squashiest)
1) Squashy means soft and easy to press or squeeze out of shape. 2) Fruit that is squashy is too soft and a bit squashed or overripe.
squat verb (squat, squats, squatted, squatting); noun (a squat, squats); adjective (squat, squatter, squattest); (slang, US) squat = nothing
To squat is to bend your knees and lower your body so you sit on your heels or just above the ground.
squawk verb (squawk, squawks, squawked, squawking); noun (a squawk, squawks)
To squawk is to make a loud, harsh cry like a parrot or a scared chicken.
squeak verb (squeak, squeaks, squeaked, squeaking); noun (a squeak, squeaks)
A squeak is a short, high, thin sound, like a mouse makes or a door that needs oil.
squeaky adjective (squeaky, squeakier, squeakiest)
Squeaky means making a short, high sound, like a squeaky door or a squeaky toy.
squeal verb (squeal, squeals, squealed, squealing); noun (a squeal, squeals)
To make a long, high, loud sound, like a pig or an excited child.
squeeze verb (squeeze, squeezes, squeezed, squeezing); noun (a squeeze, squeezes)
To squeeze means to press something hard, often from the sides: squeeze a lemon.
squelch verb (squelch, squelches, squelched, squelching); noun (a squelch)
1) To squelch is to walk through soft, wet mud so that it makes a loud sucking sound. 2) A squelch is that sound.
squib noun (a squib, squibs)
A small firework that burns with a hissing sound and then bangs.
squid noun (a squid; plural squid or squids)
A sea animal with a long soft body, eight arms and two longer tentacles, which can squirt ink to escape from danger.
squiffy adjective (squiffy, squiffier, squiffiest) — UK, informal
1) (UK, informal) Slightly drunk; tipsy. 2) (UK, informal) Crooked, not straight: The picture's a bit squiffy.
squiggle noun (a squiggle, squiggles); verb (squiggle, squiggles, squiggled, squiggling)
A squiggle is a short wavy or curly line, especially one drawn quickly or messily.
squint verb (squint, squints, squinted, squinting); noun (a squint, squints)
To look with your eyes partly closed, for example in bright sun or to see something better.
squire noun (a squire, squires); verb (squire — old-fashioned, rare)
A young man training to be a knight, who served a knight and carried his shield and armour.
squirm verb (squirm, squirms, squirmed, squirming); noun (a squirm)
1) To squirm means to twist and wriggle your body because you are uncomfortable, bored or trying to get free: "The puppy squirmed out of…
squirrel noun (a squirrel, squirrels); verb (squirrel away — informal)
A small furry animal with a long bushy tail that lives in trees, eats nuts and seeds, and can climb and jump very well.
squirt verb (squirt, squirts, squirted, squirting); noun (a squirt, squirts)
To squirt is to make liquid shoot out in a thin, fast stream from a small hole.
squish verb (squish, squishes, squished, squishing); noun (a squish); interjection (squish!)
To squash something soft, so it gets flat or out of shape.
squishy adjective (squishy, squishier, squishiest); noun (a squishy, squishies — informal toy)
Squishy means soft and wet or soft and easy to squeeze, so it changes shape when pressed: squishy mud, a squishy tomato.
ss abbreviation (SS, ss)
SS before a ship's name stands for steamship, as in the SS Great Britain.
sss interjection, sound word (sss, ssss, sssss)
"Sss" is the hissing sound of a snake, written down.
stab verb (stab, stabs, stabbed, stabbing); noun (a stab, stabs)
To stab means to push a knife or other sharp, pointed thing into someone or something.
stabbing noun (a stabbing, stabbings); adjective (stabbing — of pain); verb form (the -ing form of «stab»)
A stabbing is a crime or attack in which someone is hurt with a knife or sharp object.
stabiliser noun (a stabiliser, stabilisers; US stabilizer)
1) (UK) Stabilisers are the two small extra wheels on the back of a child's bicycle that stop it falling over while you learn to ride (US…
stabilising verb (stabilise, stabilises, stabilised, stabilising — -ing form); adjective (stabilising)
Making something steady and less likely to move, fall or change.
stability noun (stability — uncountable)
Stability is being steady and not likely to fall over, move or change suddenly.
stable adjective (stable, more stable / stabler, most stable); noun (a stable, stables)
Stable means steady and firm, not likely to move, wobble, fall or change.
stableman noun (stablemen)
A stableman is a man whose job is to look after horses in a stable: feeding them, cleaning them and exercising them.
stack noun (a stack, stacks); verb (stack, stacks, stacked, stacking)
A stack is a neat pile of things one on top of another.
stadium noun (stadium, stadiums; also stadia)
1) A stadium is a big place with rows of seats around a field or track where people watch sports or concerts.
staff noun (staff — the people; a staff, staffs — a stick)
The staff are all the people who work for a school, shop, hospital or company.
stag noun (a stag, stags); adjective-like noun (a stag party, stag night — UK, Ireland, Australia)
A stag is an adult male deer, usually one with large branching antlers.
stage noun (a stage, stages); verb (stage, stages, staged, staging)
A stage is a raised floor in a theatre or hall where people act, sing or speak.
stagger verb (stagger, staggers, staggered, staggering); noun (a stagger)
To walk or move unsteadily, almost falling, because you are hurt, tired, dizzy or carrying something heavy.
staggering adjective (staggering); verb (-ing form of stagger)
1) Very surprising and shocking, because it is so large or amazing. 2) (verb) Walking unsteadily, almost falling.
stagnant adjective
Stagnant water is still and does not flow, so it becomes dirty, smelly and full of germs.
stain noun (a stain, stains); verb (stain, stains, stained, staining)
1) A dirty mark or spot that is hard to remove. 2) (verb) To make a mark that is hard to remove. 3) (noun or verb) A dye used to colour…
stainless adjective (stainless)
1) Stainless means without stains or marks. 2) Stainless steel is a kind of steel mixed with chromium that does not rust or stain easily.…
stair noun (stair, stairs; staircase)
A stair is one step in a set of steps that go up or down inside a building.
staircase noun (staircase, staircases)
1) A staircase is a set of steps going up from one floor to another, often with a rail to hold. 2) A spiral staircase goes round and round.
stairway noun (a stairway, stairways)
1) A set of stairs inside or outside a building, often with the walls or space around it.
stake noun (a stake, stakes); verb (stake, stakes, staked, staking)
A stake is a strong pointed stick or post pushed into the ground, for example to hold up a plant, a tent or a fence.
stakeholder noun (a stakeholder, stakeholders)
A stakeholder is a person or group who is affected by something, such as a plan or a business, and so cares how it turns out.
stakes noun (a stake, stakes — plural form); verb (stake, stakes, staked, staking)
Pointed wooden or metal posts pushed into the ground, for example to hold up plants or a tent.
stalactite noun (a stalactite, stalactites)
1) A stalactite is a long, pointed stone shape that hangs down from the roof of a cave, made very slowly by dripping water that leaves…
stalagmite noun (a stalagmite, stalagmites)
1) A stalagmite is a pointed column of rock that grows upwards from the floor of a cave, made by drips of water full of dissolved minerals.
stale adjective (stale, staler, stalest)
Stale food, especially bread or cake, is old, dry and not fresh any more.
stalk noun (a stalk, stalks); verb (stalk, stalks, stalked, stalking)
A stalk is the thin main stem of a plant, or the small stem that holds a leaf, flower or fruit.
stall noun (a stall, stalls; the stalls); verb (stall, stalls, stalled, stalling)
A stall is a small table or stand where things are sold, at a market or a fair.
stalwart adjective; noun
1) Stalwart means strong, brave and loyal, ready to stand firm. 2) A stalwart is a loyal, dependable supporter.
stamen noun (a stamen, stamens)
A stamen is the male part of a flower that makes pollen; it has a thin stalk (the filament) with a top part (the anther) covered in pollen.
stamina noun (stamina — uncountable)
1) The strength and energy to keep doing something hard, especially physical activity, for a long time without getting tired.
stammer verb (stammer, stammers, stammered, stammering); noun (a stammer)
To stammer means to speak with pauses and repeated sounds, because you are nervous or because of a speech condition («I-I-I don't know»).
stamp noun (stamp, stamps); verb (stamp, stamps, stamped, stamping)
A stamp is a small piece of paper with glue that you stick on a letter before posting it, to show the postage is paid.

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