English Vocabulary Dictionary | Word Meanings, Definitions & Examples
an underground passage or shaft
"They dug a tunnel under the river."
a head covering made by wrapping a long piece of cloth around the head
"The Sikh man wore a colorful turban."
Cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter; confused or obscure in meaning.
"The river water became turbid after the heavy rains."
Violent or unsteady movement of air, water, or some other fluid; disorder or conflict.
"The plane experienced severe turbulence during the flight."
Characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not stable or calm.
"The country went through a turbulent period of political change."
A large deep dish with a cover, used for serving soups or stews.
"She brought the hot soup to the table in a silver tureen."
Swollen or distended; (of language) pompous and overcomplicated.
"The professor’s lecture was so turgid that many students lost interest."
a large bird native to North America, often eaten at special occasions like Thanksgiving; also the meat of this bird.
"We roasted a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner."
A bright yellow spice powder made from the root of a tropical plant, used in cooking and medicine
"Add turmeric to the curry for color and flavor."
ground turmeric root used as a spice and for its medicinal properties
"Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the curry for color and flavor."
a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty
"The country was in turmoil after the sudden resignation of the prime minister."
to change direction or position
"Turn right at the next intersection."
a person who switches allegiance, often betraying a cause or group
"He was branded a turncoat after joining the rival political party."
a place where a road branches off from another; a side road
"Take the first turning on the left."
a round root vegetable with white or purple skin and white flesh
"We grew turnips in our vegetable garden."
ready for immediate use; a complete product or solution
"The company provides turnkey solutions for small businesses."
the number of people who attend or participate in an event or activity
"The turnout at the rally was impressive, with thousands showing up."
the amount of business conducted during a particular period, or the rate at which employees leave a company
"The company reported a high turnover in its sales department."
depraved or wicked behavior or character
"The judge condemned the criminal’s act of moral turpitude."
a greenish-blue color or gemstone
"She wore a necklace with a beautiful turquoise stone."
A small tower on top of a larger tower or building, often used in castles or fortifications.
"The castle was guarded by soldiers stationed in the turret."
A slow-moving reptile with a hard shell that lives in water or on land
"The turtle slowly crossed the sandy beach."
The act of guarding, protecting, or guiding; instruction or teaching.
"She studied painting under the tutelage of a famous artist."
Serving as a guardian or protector.
"The tutelar spirit of the forest was believed to protect travelers."
Relating to or serving as a guardian or protector, often used for deities or spirits.
"Athena was considered the tutelary goddess of Athens."
The office or position of a tutor; guidance or instruction given by a tutor.
"He thrived under the tutorship of his mentor."
a device used to receive television broadcasts
"I watch my favorite shows on TV every evening."
to make small adjustments; to fine-tune something
"We need to tweak the design slightly."
a short high-pitched sound made by a small bird; a post on Twitter
"I heard the sweet tweet of a sparrow this morning."
the number equivalent to 12
"There are twelve months in a year."
coming after the nineteenth in order; being one of twenty equal parts.
"She was born on the twentieth of April."
the number equivalent to 20
"He is twenty years old."
a small thin branch of a tree or bush
"She broke a twig off the tree to use as a stick."
the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon; a period of decline
"We walked along the beach at twilight."
either of two children born at the same time to the same mother
"They have twin girls."
a sudden, sharp pain or an emotional pang
"He felt a twinge of guilt after lying to his friend."
to bend or turn something into a coil or spiral shape; to distort.
"He twisted the rope tightly around the pole."
beyond the mountains, especially referring to support for the Pope over local church authority
"The debate highlighted the ultramontane position in church politics."
the state of being unable to do something; incapacity
"His unability to solve the problem caused delays in the project."
A device used for protection against rain or sun, typically consisting of a collapsible canopy mounted on a central rod.
"She opened her umbrella as it started to rain."
A feeling of resentment or offense.
"She took umbrage at his rude remark."
the fully shaded inner region of a shadow cast by an opaque object; the dark center of a sunspot
"During the eclipse, we stood in the moon's umbra."
Relating to things beyond the physical world; supernatural or transcendental.
"Philosophers often discuss ultramundane realities beyond human perception."
being the best, final, or most extreme
"Success is the ultimate goal of hard work."
a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane that does not heal easily
"The doctor prescribed medicine to treat the stomach ulcer."
hidden or secret, often with a selfish motive
"He invited her with an ulterior motive."
not able to do something
"She was unable to attend the meeting."
in the end, after everything else
"Ultimately, we decided to go ahead with the project."
a final demand or statement of terms
"The workers gave the company an ultimatum to raise their wages."