S

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2153 words

stampede noun (stampedes); verb (stampede, stampedes, stampeded, stampeding)
1) A stampede is a sudden wild rush of frightened animals or people. 2) To stampede is to rush away together in a panic.
stance noun (a stance, stances)
A stance is the way someone stands, especially how they place their feet and body, like a batting stance.
stand verb, noun (stand, stands, stood, standing)
To stand is to be on your feet with your body upright.
standard noun (a standard, standards); adjective (standard)
A standard is a level of quality, how good something is or should be: «a high standard».
standardisation noun (standardisation — usually uncountable)
Making things the same size, shape, quality or way of working, so they fit together or can be compared.
standardised verb (standardise, standardises, standardised, standardising — past form); adjective (standardised)
Past form of «standardise»: made things the same or fitted to one rule or standard.
standby noun (standby, standbys); adjective (standby); phrasal verb (stand by)
Standby is being ready to be used or to act if needed, as in «on standby».
stander noun (standers, standers-by)
A stander is a person who stands and watches. Standers-by are people who are standing nearby, watching what happens without taking part.
standstill noun (standstills)
1) A standstill is a complete stop, when nothing is moving. 2) «Come to a standstill» means stop moving or stop making progress.
stank verb (past form of «stink»: stink, stinks, stank, stunk)
Stank is the past form of «stink»: it smelled very bad.
stanza noun (a stanza, stanzas)
A stanza is a group of lines in a poem, set apart from the other groups by a space, like a paragraph in a story; it is often called a verse.
staple noun (a staple, staples); verb (staple, staples, stapled, stapling); adjective (staple)
A small piece of thin bent wire pushed through papers to hold them together.
star noun, verb (star, stars, starred, starring)
A star is a huge ball of burning gas far away in space that we see as a bright point in the night sky.
starch noun (starch, starches); verb (starch, starches, starched, starching)
A white substance found in foods such as bread, rice, pasta and potatoes, which gives the body energy.
starchy adjective (starchy, starchier, starchiest)
Starchy food contains a lot of starch, a kind of carbohydrate found in potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and corn.
stardust noun (stardust — uncountable)
Dust made in old stars and spread in space when they die; the atoms in our bodies were made inside stars long ago.
stare verb (stare, stares, stared, staring); noun (a stare, stares)
1) To stare means to look at someone or something for a long time without looking away. 2) A stare is a long, fixed look.
starer noun (a starer, starers)
1) A person who stares, looking at someone or something for a long time with fixed eyes.
starfish noun (a starfish, starfish or starfishes)
A starfish is a sea animal shaped like a star, usually with five arms, that lives on the sea floor and on rocks.
stark adjective (starker, starkest); adverb
Stark means bare, plain and harsh, with nothing added.
starless adjective
Starless means with no stars to be seen, usually because the sky is covered by cloud or it is very dark.
starlight noun (starlight, uncountable)
1) Starlight is the light that comes from the stars. 2) It is the faint light you see on a clear night when there is no moon.
starling noun (a starling, starlings)
A starling is a common bird with dark shiny feathers that look purple and green in the sun, often covered in small pale spots in winter.
starlit adjective
Starlit means lit up by stars, so that the sky or the ground can be seen faintly at night.
starry adjective (starry, starrier, starriest)
1) Full of stars; lit by stars. 2) Shining like stars; sparkling. 3) «starry-eyed»: hopeful and dreamy, not seeing problems. 4) (informal)…
start noun (start, starts); verb (start, starts, started, starting)
The start is the beginning of something: the start of the race.
starter noun (a starter, starters)
A small dish eaten as the first part of a meal; in the US called an appetizer.
startle verb (startle, startles, startled, startling)
To startle someone is to surprise or frighten them suddenly, so that they jump or move quickly.
startled adjective (startled, more startled); verb form (startle, startles, startled, startling)
Startled means suddenly surprised or a little frightened by something unexpected, so you jump or stop.
starvation noun (starvation — uncountable)
Serious suffering or death caused by having little or no food for a long time.
starve verb (starve, starves, starved, starving)
To starve is to suffer or die because you have no food for a long time.
starving adjective (starving); verb (-ing form of starve)
1) Very ill or dying because of having no food for a long time. 2) Informally, very hungry: "I'm starving!"
state noun (a state, states; the state); verb (state, states, stated, stating); adjective (state — of the government: state school)
A state is the condition something or someone is in, like a state of mess or a calm state.
stately adjective (statelier, stateliest)
Stately means grand, dignified and impressive, and often slow and calm in movement or appearance.
statement noun (a statement, statements)
A statement is something you say or write that tells a fact or an idea.
static adjective (static); noun (static, uncountable)
Static means not moving or not changing: a static picture, prices stayed static.
station noun, verb (station, stations)
A station is a place where trains or buses stop so people can get on and off.
stationary adjective (stationary)
Stationary means not moving, standing still: "a stationary car".
stationery noun (stationery — uncountable)
Things used for writing and office work, such as paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, rulers and rubbers.
statistical adjective (statistical)
Statistical means about statistics: the collecting, counting and studying of numbers and data to find patterns and facts.
statistically adverb (statistically)
Statistically means according to statistics, judging by numbers and data: "Statistically, flying is safer than driving.".
statistics noun (statistics — the subject, takes a singular verb; statistics — numbers, plural; a statistic — one fact)
The branch of maths that collects, organises and studies numbers and data to find patterns and answer questions.
statuary noun (statuary — uncountable); adjective (old use)
1) (formal) Statues as a group: the statues in a place or collection. 2) The art of making statues.
statue noun (a statue, statues)
1) A model of a person or animal made of stone, metal or wood, usually life-size or bigger, often in a public place.
statuesque adjective (statuesque)
1) (of a person, usually a woman) Tall, graceful and impressive, like a statue. 2) Very still, like a statue.
stature noun (stature — usually no plural)
Stature is how tall a person is, their height when standing.
status noun (status — usually uncountable; statuses in some uses)
Your status is your position or rank compared with other people, especially how important people think you are.
statute noun (a statute, statutes)
A law that has been written down and passed by a parliament or government.
statutory adjective (statutory) — formal
Statutory means set by law: something written in a statute, a law made by a parliament.
staunch adjective (staunch, staunch-er, staunch-est)
Staunch means loyal and firm, never letting a friend or cause down.
stave noun (a stave, staves); verb (stave, staves, staved or stove, staving; stave off, staved off)
A stave is the set of five lines on which music notes are written (US: staff).
stay verb, noun (stay, stays, stayed, staying)
To stay means to remain in the same place: stay at home.
stead noun (stead — only in fixed phrases)
In someone's stead means in their place, instead of them.
steadfast adjective (steadfast, more steadfast, most steadfast)
1) Firm and loyal; not changing in what you believe or in who you support: a steadfast friend. 2) Firm and not moving: a steadfast gaze.
steadfastly adverb (steadfastly)
Steadfastly means in a firm, steady way, without moving or giving up.
steadied verb, past tense and past participle of «steady» (steady, steadies, steadied, steadying)
Made something stop shaking, wobbling or moving, so it is firm and still.
steadily adverb
Steadily means in a slow, even and regular way, without stopping or sudden changes.
steadiness noun (steadiness — uncountable)
1) Being firm and not shaking or wobbling. 2) Being regular and even, without sudden changes. 3) Being calm, sensible and reliable.
steady adjective (steady, steadier, steadiest); adverb (steadily); verb (steady, steadies, steadied, steadying)
Firm and not shaking or wobbling, like a steady ladder or a steady hand.
steak noun (a steak, steaks; steak — uncountable as a food)
A thick, flat slice of good meat, usually beef, cooked by grilling or frying.
steal verb (steal, steals, stole, stolen, stealing); noun (a steal — informal)
To take something that belongs to someone else without permission and without meaning to give it back.
stealer noun (stealer, stealers)
1) A stealer is a person or animal that takes things which belong to someone else. (A rare word for a thief.)
stealth noun (stealth, uncountable); adjective (stealth, used before a noun: a stealth plane)
Stealth is moving or acting quietly and secretly so that no one notices you.
stealthily adverb (stealthily)
1) Stealthily means quietly and secretly, so that nobody hears or sees you.
stealthy adjective (stealthy, stealthier, stealthiest)
1) Stealthy means quiet and secret, moving so as not to be heard or seen.
steam noun (steam, uncountable); verb (steam, steams, steamed, steaming)
Steam is the hot white mist that rises from boiling water.
steamboat noun (a steamboat, steamboats)
A boat driven by a steam engine, often with a large paddle wheel, used especially on rivers in the 1800s.
steamer noun (a steamer, steamers)
A ship or boat driven by a steam engine; a steamship.
steamroller noun (a steamroller, steamrollers); verb (steamroller, steamrollers, steamrollered, steamrollering)
A heavy machine with big, wide rollers that flattens roads; once powered by steam, now usually by diesel (often called a road roller).
steamship noun (a steamship, steamships)
1) A large ship driven by a steam engine, which burns coal or oil to boil water and make steam.
steamy adjective (steamy, steamier, steamiest)
1) Full of steam, the hot water vapour: "a steamy bathroom". 2) Hot and wet, like the air in a rainforest: "a steamy jungle".
steed noun (steed, steeds)
1) (old use, in fairy tales and legends) A steed is a horse, especially a fine or strong one that a knight or hero rides.
steel noun (steel — uncountable; steels for kinds); adjective (steel, as in a steel bridge); verb (steel yourself)
A very strong, hard metal made mostly from iron mixed with a little carbon, used for bridges, cars, tools, pans and cutlery.
steelman verb (steelman, steelmans, steelmanned, steelmanning); noun (a steelman, steelmen — rare)
To steelman someone's argument is to describe it in its strongest, fairest form before you answer it, even if you disagree.
steelworks noun (a steelworks — same form for singular and plural)
1) A steelworks is a factory where steel is made from iron and other materials, using huge furnaces.
steely adjective (steely, steelier, steeliest)
1) Made of steel, or grey and shiny like steel. 2) Hard, strong and determined; not showing soft feelings: «a steely stare», «steely…
steep adjective (steep, steeper, steepest); verb (steep, steeps, steeped, steeping)
Rising or falling sharply, like a slope that is hard to climb.
steeple noun (steeple, steeples)
1) A steeple is the tall pointed tower on top of a church.
steepness noun (steepness — uncountable)
Steepness is how steep something is: how sharply a slope, hill, road or roof goes up or down.
steer verb (steer, steers, steered, steering); noun (a steer, steers)
To steer is to control which way a car, bike, boat or other vehicle goes.
steersman noun (steersman, steersmen)
1) (old use) A steersman is the person who steers a boat or ship, keeping it on its course.
stegosaurus noun (a stegosaurus, stegosauruses; scientists also write Stegosaurus as a genus name)
A stegosaurus was a large plant-eating dinosaur with two rows of big bony plates along its back and sharp spikes on its tail.
stele noun (a stele, stelae or steles)
An upright stone slab or pillar with writing or carvings on it, put up as a monument, gravestone or to record laws or events.
stellar adjective (stellar)
Stellar means about stars in space: stellar light, stellar systems.
stem noun (a stem, stems); verb (stem, stems, stemmed, stemming)
A stem is the long thin part of a plant that holds up the leaves and flowers.
stench noun (stench, stenches)
1) A stench is a very bad smell.
stencil noun (a stencil, stencils); verb (stencil, stencils, stencilled, stencilling; US stenciled, stenciling)
1) A stencil is a thin sheet of card, plastic or metal with shapes or letters cut out of it; you paint or colour through the holes to copy…
step noun, verb (step, steps, stepped, stepping)
A step is one movement of your foot when you walk.
stepbrother noun (a stepbrother, stepbrothers)
1) A boy or man who is the son of your stepmother or stepfather, but not the son of your own mother or father.
stepdaughter noun (stepdaughter, stepdaughters)
1) A stepdaughter is a girl who is the child of your husband or wife from an earlier marriage, not your own child by birth.
stepfather noun (a stepfather, stepfathers)
1) A stepfather is a man who is married to your mother but is not your birth father.
stepmother noun (a stepmother, stepmothers)
1) The woman who is married to (or the partner of) your father but is not your birth mother.
stepparent noun (a stepparent, stepparents; also step-parent)
1) A stepparent is the person who is married to your mother or father but is not your birth parent: a stepmother or a stepfather.
steppe noun (a steppe, steppes)
1) A huge, flat area of grassland with few trees, especially in eastern Europe and Asia.
stepsister noun (a stepsister, stepsisters)
1) A girl or woman who is the daughter of your stepmother or stepfather, but not the daughter of your own mother or father.
stepson noun (stepson, stepsons)
1) A stepson is a boy who is the child of your husband or wife from an earlier marriage, not your own child by birth.
stereotype noun (a stereotype, stereotypes); verb (stereotype, stereotypes, stereotyped, stereotyping)
1) A stereotype is a fixed, too-simple idea about what all people of one group are like, for example that all girls like pink or all old…
sterile adjective (sterile)
Sterile means completely clean and free from germs (bacteria and viruses): sterile bandages, a sterile operating room.
sterling noun (sterling; uncountable); adjective (sterling)
Sterling is the money of the United Kingdom; its main unit is the pound (£).
stern adjective (stern, sterner, sternest); noun (the stern, sterns)
Stern means serious and strict, not smiling, like a teacher who wants you to behave.

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