Words starting with E

Happening or existing near the beginning of a period of time. It can also mean before the usual time.

Showing sincere and serious intention; not joking or playful.

The planet we live on. It is the third planet from the sun.

An earthwork is a structure made from soil, stones, or other natural material. It is often built for defence, support, or landscaping.

Earthy describes something that is like soil, mud, or the natural world. It can also mean rough, simple, and not fancy.

A song or tune that keeps repeating in your mind, even when you do not want it to. It is usually catchy and hard to forget.

In a way that is not difficult, or with little effort. It can also mean "without any doubt" or "by a large amount" in some contexts.

Not difficult or needing much effort. Used for tasks, problems, or choices that are simple to do or understand.

To put food in your mouth, chew it, and swallow it. It can also mean to use something up, like time or money.

Third-person singular present of the verb eat. It means to put food into your mouth and swallow it.

Cheerful and full of energy; lively and enthusiastic.

Behaving in ways that most people find unusual or strange, but not in a harmful way. This word often carries a sense of amusement or mild admiration rather than criticism.

To come out of an egg, pupa, or similar covering; to hatch. It is a formal or biological word, used mainly in writing.

The ability of an ecosystem to recover after damage or change, and keep working. It means nature can absorb stress and still stay healthy.

In a way that saves money, time, or resources. It can also mean in a way that relates to a country's economy or financial system.

A situation where the cost of making one item falls as a company makes more items. Bigger production often makes each unit cheaper.

An ecosystem is a community of living things and the place they live in. The living things and their environment affect each other.

a system design where an AI model does its processing on local devices or near the data source, instead of sending everything to a central server. It is used to reduce delay, save bandwidth, and improve privacy.

To change text, images, audio, or video to make them better, shorter, clearer, or correct errors.

To give off bubbles of gas, especially in a liquid. It can also mean to become lively and full of energy.

A liquid that is effervescent has small bubbles in it and may fizz. It can also describe a lively, cheerful person or mood.

Doing a task well with little time, effort, or waste. An efficient person, system, or machine gets good results quickly and uses resources wisely.

In a way that uses time, effort, or resources well, with little waste. It often describes work, systems, or actions that achieve good results quickly and neatly.

To produce flowers, or to begin to bloom. It can also mean to develop beautifully or become more visible over time.

Believing people should have equal rights and opportunities; treating everyone fairly.

An egg is an oval object laid by a female bird, fish, reptile, or insect. People often mean a bird's egg, especially one eaten as food.

Very bad or shocking; far beyond what is acceptable or expected. Use when something is noticeably worse than usual.

A detailed description of a work of art, music, or another object. In literature, it often means writing that describes a picture or scene vividly.

Having many carefully planned details or parts. Something elaborate involves a lot of effort and is more complex than usual. It can sometimes suggest more detail than is strictly needed.

to make someone very happy or excited. It is often used in formal writing.

Elation is a feeling of great happiness, excitement, and triumph. It is stronger and more high-spirited than simple happiness.

Using or producing electricity. An electric device runs on power from a battery or the mains. It can also mean exciting and full of energy.

Using electricity and small circuits, especially in devices that work with signals or data. It often describes modern machines and systems.

A basic part of something larger. It can also mean one member of a group of things with the same nature.

A machine that carries people or things up and down between floors in a building. In British English, this is usually called a lift.

To draw out a response, reaction, or piece of information from someone, usually through careful effort or skill. It implies the action is deliberate and purposeful.

Able to express ideas and feelings in a clear, powerful, and impressive way, especially when speaking or writing. An eloquent person uses language that moves or persuades people.

To make something clear or easy to understand by explaining it in more detail.

Difficult to find, catch, or understand. Something elusive often seems to move away, stay hidden, or resist clear explanation.

A message sent electronically through the internet. It can also mean the system or account used to send and receive these messages.

To come out from a source or to spread from it. It is often used for smells, light, feelings, or ideas.

Embarrassment is a feeling of discomfort, shame, or self-consciousness. It often happens when you make a mistake or feel exposed in public.

To add details or decorations to make something more attractive or interesting.

To come out from a place where you were hidden or not visible. The coming-out is often gradual or significant, not instant.

To understand and share another person's feelings. It means you can imagine how they feel and respond with care.

The ability to understand and share another person’s feelings.

To give special importance or attention to something. You emphasize a point to make sure people notice it or understand that it matters.

Based on observation or experiment rather than theory.

An employee is a person who works for a company, organization, or person in exchange for pay. It is the opposite of an employer.

An employer is a person or company that hires workers and pays them to do a job.

To give someone the confidence, authority, or means to do something and make their own choices.

Empty means having nothing inside. It can also mean not full, not occupied, or without the usual feeling or meaning.

Try to match or copy someone’s skill or style, often to improve yourself.

To mix two liquids that do not usually blend, especially oil and water, so they form a smooth, even mixture. It can also mean to make a substance able to mix this way.

The act of putting something inside a container, shell, or covering. It can also mean the state of being fully enclosed.

To include or deal with a wide range of things. It suggests that something covers many different parts or topics all at once.

To turn information into a code so that only people with the right key can read it. People encrypt files, messages, and data to protect privacy or security.

A serious, sustained effort to do something difficult or important. It suggests purpose and commitment, not just a single attempt.

Endogenous means caused by something inside a person, system, or organism. It is often used in science, medicine, economics, and business.

To publicly support or recommend something.

Describing a process or reaction that takes in heat from its surroundings. It cools the surroundings while it happens.

To experience something very painful, difficult, or unpleasant for a long time without giving up. It suggests real effort and suffering.

The power that makes machines, lights, and bodies work. It can also mean the strength or vitality a person has.

To make someone feel weak, tired, or less energetic. It is often used in formal writing.

To cause something to exist or develop; to give rise to.

To cut or carve words, letters, or a design into a hard surface. People often engrave metal, stone, or glass.

A design or picture cut into a hard surface, such as metal, wood, or glass. It can also mean the art or process of making such cuts.

To make something better in quality, value, or appearance. It suggests adding something extra to what already exists, rather than fixing a problem. Often used in formal or academic contexts.

A person or thing that is mysterious and difficult to understand.

To give someone information or knowledge so they understand something better. It implies moving someone from confusion or ignorance toward clarity.

A strong feeling of dislike or hostility; hatred, often long-standing.

A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction because nothing is exciting.

To delight someone very much; to fill them with great pleasure or excitement. It is a strong, literary word.

A situation in which things are twisted together or caught together and are hard to separate. It can also mean a complicated connection between people, problems, or events.

Showing energy, courage, and a good sense for spotting opportunities. An enterprising person tries new things and finds practical ways to succeed.

Showing strong interest and excitement about something. An enthusiastic person wants to do it and often speaks or acts with energy.

Relating to starting and running a business, especially when you take risks and look for opportunities. It can also describe a person who acts in a bold, business-minded way.

To name or mention things one by one, usually in a clear and ordered way. You often use this word when you want to go through each item in a list carefully, leaving nothing out.

A feeling of unhappiness because someone has something you want. It can also mean the thing you want because another person has it.

Ephemera are things that exist for a very short time. It is often used for small printed items, art, or objects meant to be kept briefly.

Lasting for only a short time; not permanent. It is often used to describe beautiful or meaningful things that disappear quickly, which gives the word a slightly wistful or poetic feeling.

An epicure is a person who enjoys fine food and drink. The word often suggests careful taste and pleasure in eating, not just eating a lot.

The study of changes in how genes work without changing the DNA sequence itself. These changes can affect how cells act and can sometimes be passed on.

The study of epigenetic changes across all the genes in a cell or organism. It looks at how genes are turned on or off without changing the DNA sequence.

The pattern or system that shows how a belief is supported by reasons or evidence. It explains how justification is arranged, not just whether a claim is true.

Relating to epistemology, or the study of knowledge. It describes questions about how we know something, what counts as knowledge, and how knowledge is justified.

the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge. It asks what knowledge is, how we get it, and how we know something is true.

A person or thing that is a perfect example of a quality or type.

Calm, balanced mental state, especially during stress or change.

To consider or treat two things as being the same or equal. You use this word when you believe one thing is basically the same as another, even if they are not exactly identical.

To make something balanced or equal, especially by adjusting different parts until they are in harmony. It is often used in technical, scientific, or formal contexts.

A balanced state where different forces, amounts, or opinions are equal or steady. It can also mean a calm mental state.

Tools, machines, or other items needed for a particular task, sport, job, or activity. It is usually uncountable.

Fair and impartial; treating people equally without favoritism.

Equal in value, purpose, or effect, even if the form or type is different.

To completely remove or destroy something harmful so that it no longer exists at all. It suggests getting rid of something at the root, not just reducing it. Commonly used about diseases, poverty, crime, or social problems.

To slowly wear away or be worn away by wind, water, or other natural forces. It often describes land, rock, or soil.

A short trip you make to do a small job, such as buying something or delivering something. It is usually quick and practical.

Not regular, consistent, or predictable. Something erratic changes in a way that is hard to follow or plan for, often causing problems or concern.

Having or showing great knowledge from study and reading.

A dish or cooking method in which fish, meat, or vegetables are cooked or soaked in a sour marinade, often with vinegar and spices. In some cuisines, it can also mean the marinade itself.

Known or understood by only a small group of people with special knowledge or interest. It is not meant for — or easily accessible to — the general public.

Agree with and support an idea, cause, or person publicly or actively.

The enjoyment and loyalty people feel when working or acting as a group.

Very important and necessary. If something is essential, you need it or cannot do well without it. It often sounds stronger than "important" and is common in study, work, and everyday English.

The belief that things have a basic nature or fixed qualities that make them what they are. In social ideas, it can mean thinking people or groups have one true essence.

To start or create something that is meant to be permanent and lasting, such as an organization, system, or law.

Related to an estuary, where a river meets the sea. Estuarine water is partly fresh and partly salty.

To cut or carve a design, picture, or words into a hard surface, usually with acid, a tool, or a laser. It can also mean to make a strong and lasting impression in memory.

Extremely light, delicate, and beautiful in a way that seems too perfect to be real. Something ethereal looks or feels as if it belongs to another world, not the ordinary one.

Following accepted ideas of right and wrong. An ethical choice is honest, fair, and responsible.

To make or become pale, weak, or thin because of too little light, food, or care. It is often used for plants, but it can also describe people or ideas that lose strength.

a very strong feeling of happiness, excitement, or pleasure. It can happen after good news, success, or a joyful event.

To carefully study something and decide how good, useful, or important it is. You look at the evidence or facts and form a judgment based on them.

To judge or measure how a project, product, or action affects the natural world. It is often used in academic, government, and business contexts.

To lose water to the air by evaporation from the ground and transpiration from plants. It is used mainly in science, farming, and weather studies.

Happening or existing at the end of a long process, especially after a period of difficulty or uncertainty. It describes a result that finally comes after many steps or events.

Easy to see or understand; clearly true or noticeable. When something is evident, people can see it or recognize it without any doubt.

Morally very wrong, cruel, or harmful. It describes actions, people, or ideas that cause great harm or deep suffering.

Evocative describes something that brings strong images, feelings, or memories to mind. It often makes people think of something else without saying it directly.

language, writing, or art that creates strong pictures, feelings, or memories in the mind.

In a way that brings a strong image, feeling, or memory to mind. It describes how something makes people think or feel deeply.

To bring a feeling, memory, image, or response into someone's mind. It often suggests something indirect, like a smell, picture, or story causing a feeling.

To change and develop gradually over a long period of time. The change usually happens in small steps, not all at once. People, ideas, systems, and living things can all evolve.

To pull something out or away with force. It is a formal word, often used in medicine or technical writing.

To make a bad situation, problem, or feeling worse than it already is. It does not create the problem — it makes an existing one more severe.

To look at something carefully in order to understand it, find problems, or make a judgment. It is more careful than simply looking or seeing.

to make someone very annoyed, frustrated, or angry, especially after something keeps happening. It is stronger than "annoy" and often shows growing irritation.

A feeling of great annoyance, especially when a problem keeps happening or nothing changes. It can also describe something that causes this feeling.

To go past a fixed limit, number, or level. This limit can be a rule, a measurement, or a set amount.

Feeling very happy, eager, or full of energy because something good is happening or will happen soon. It can also mean made active or tense, often in scientific or formal contexts.

Excitement is a feeling of great interest, joy, or nervous energy. It can also mean a state or event that makes people feel excited.

To show that someone is not guilty of a crime or blame. It is a formal word, often used in law, writing, or serious discussion.

To do ordinary tasks that you are expected to do. It sounds formal and can feel stiff in everyday speech.

A person or thing that is a perfect model to copy; a standard of excellence. Definition in 18 words: A perfect model or standard of excellence to guide behavior or work.

So good that it is worth copying or following. If someone's behavior or work is exemplary, it sets a standard for others to match.

To be a very clear or typical example of something. When a person, thing, or situation exemplifies an idea, it shows that idea in a concrete, recognizable way.

Physical activity you do to stay healthy or improve fitness. It can be planned, like a workout, or simple movement like walking.

to use your own careful judgment at work, especially when a rule does not clearly say what to do.

To make someone feel completely drained of energy, so that they have nothing left. This goes beyond ordinary tiredness — it means reaching zero.

To show something publicly so people can see it. It is often used for art, objects, or clear feelings and behaviour.

An exhibition is a public display of objects, art, photos, or products. It is often arranged in a gallery, museum, school, or trade fair.

A strong feeling of great happiness, excitement, and energy. It often happens after success, speed, danger, or a joyful event.

Existence is the state of being real or alive. It can also mean the fact that something is present or happens.

Relating to human existence, life, or the fact of being alive. It often asks big questions about meaning, choice, and freedom.

A feeling of deep worry about life, meaning, or your place in the world. It is more serious and philosophical than ordinary stress or nervousness.

Far too high or extreme compared to what is fair or normal.

An exothermic reaction gives out heat to the surroundings. It becomes warmer because energy leaves the process as heat.

To speak or write in a detailed way about a subject. It often suggests going beyond the main point and saying more than needed.

To make a process, task, or action happen faster than normal, especially by removing delays or obstacles. It is commonly used in formal, business, and administrative contexts.

To make standard tasks happen faster, often by removing delays or extra steps. It is used in formal writing, especially in business, government, and academic contexts.

Money spent on something, especially in business, government, or planning. It can also mean the act of spending money.

If something is expensive, it costs a lot of money. People also use it for things that are hard or costly to do.

Experience is knowledge or skill you get from doing something or from being in a situation. It can also mean something that happens to you.

A thought experiment about a machine that could give you any chosen experience. It asks whether lived experience matters more than just feeling happy. It is usually discussed in philosophy.

A test done to discover or prove something. Scientists, students, and researchers use experiments to check ideas. It often follows a plan and uses careful observation.

Based on trying new ideas, methods, or materials. An experimental thing is not yet fully tested or final.

To explain something clearly and in detail, especially an idea, text, or theory. It is more formal than everyday words like “explain.”

Something explicit is stated clearly and in full, with nothing left to guess or assume. You do not need to read between the lines to understand it.

Expressionistic art, writing, or performance shows strong feelings in a bold, unusual, or exaggerated way. It is more about emotion and effect than realistic details.

Showing thoughts or feelings clearly through words, face, voice, or actions. An expressive person or thing communicates a strong feeling.

A very keen and delicate understanding of something. It suggests careful notice and a refined sense of feeling or meaning.

In a very beautiful, delicate, or precise way. It often describes something made or done with great skill and care.

Still in existence; not destroyed or lost.

In a way that is on the outside of something, not inside it. It can also mean in public, as seen by other people.

To remove or get rid of something completely, especially a problem, disease, or harmful group. It is formal and often used in writing.

More than usual, needed, or expected. It can also mean additional time, money, or work.

To take or pull something out from a place, often with effort or a special process. It can refer to pulling something physical out, or getting information or a substance from something.

Not standard in modern English. People sometimes use it to mean "additionally" or "extra," but native speakers usually avoid it.

Not relevant to the main topic or purpose; irrelevant or distracting detail.

To use known facts, data, or trends to make a reasonable guess about something that is unknown or has not happened yet. You go beyond what you directly observe, but you base your conclusion on existing patterns.

To free or remove someone or something from a difficult or dangerous situation.

To feel or show great joy, especially after a success or victory. It is stronger and more formal than simply feeling happy.

Great joy and pride because something very good has happened. It is often stronger and more public than simple happiness.

The part of the body that you use for seeing. It takes in light and sends visual information to the brain.

Something that looks very attractive but has little real value or depth. People often use it for people, objects, or media that are designed to please the eye.