English

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈɪŋglɪʃ/ 🇺🇸 /ˈɪŋglɪʃ/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The West Germanic language of England, now widely used in many varieties throughout the world as a first, second, or foreign language.; The people of England collectively; the English nation.; A subject of study in schools and universities, encompassing English language, literature, and composition.; Spin or rotation imparted to a ball, especially in billiards or pool, by striking it off-center.; A typeface or style of printing resembling old English blackletter script.
  2. adjective
    Of or relating to England, its people, culture, or language.; Of or relating to the English language.
  3. verb
    To translate into English; to render in the English language.; To impart spin to a ball, especially in billiards.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

English languageEnglish speakerEnglish literatureEnglish breakfastEnglish ChannelQueen's EnglishEnglish as a second language

Derivatives

EnglishmanEnglishwomanEnglishnessAnglicizeAnglicismAnglophone

Commonly confused

British
EN: 'British' refers to all people and things from the United Kingdom (including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), while 'English' refers specifically to England.
Anglo
EN: 'Anglo' is a combining form or prefix (e.g., Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American), while 'English' is a standalone adjective or noun.

Spelling tips

EN: Always capitalize 'English' as it is derived from the proper noun 'England'. In billiards, 'english' (lowercase) refers to spin on a ball, but this usage is informal and rare.

💬 Examples

  1. She speaks fluent English and French.

  2. The English have a long tradition of afternoon tea.

  3. I have an English exam tomorrow morning.

  4. He put left English on the cue ball to make it curve around the obstacle.

  5. The certificate was printed in English typeface.

  6. The English countryside is known for its rolling green hills.

  7. English grammar can be quite complex for non-native speakers.

  8. The scholar spent years Englishing the ancient Latin manuscripts.

  9. He Englished the ball to the right to sink it into the corner pocket.