Words starting with M

To soften or break down something by soaking it in a liquid for a long time. In cooking and science, it often means leaving food or material in liquid to draw out flavour, juice, or other substances.

to make or fix something in a clever way using whatever is available. It often suggests quick, improvised problem-solving, especially in a difficult situation.

The rules, checks, and decision-making used to control how machine learning systems are built and used. It helps make sure the systems are safe, fair, legal, and responsible.

The use of computer systems that learn from data and improve at tasks without being fully programmed each time.

Very angry. In informal speech, it can also mean upset or annoyed. In some contexts, it means mentally ill, but this use can sound rude.

In a way that is very strong or extreme. It often describes feelings, actions, or speech.

Showing great generosity of spirit, especially toward someone who has wronged you or someone less powerful. A magnanimous person acts with noble kindness even when they don't have to. The word suggests moral greatness, not just politeness.

Having the force that attracts iron and some metals. It can also mean connected with a magnet or magnets.

The study of how electric currents and magnetic fields move and control liquids or gases that can conduct electricity, especially plasma. It is used in physics, space science, and engineering.

To keep something in good condition or working order. It means you continue caring for it so it does not become worse.

To keep government spending and borrowing under control. It means not spending more than planned and avoiding large deficits.

The work needed to keep something in good condition. It also means the regular care and repair of machines, buildings, roads, or software.

To create or produce something, or to cause something to happen. It can also mean to force or persuade someone to do something.

To make a very large and sudden improvement or advance. People use it for progress in study, work, science, or personal growth.

Act quickly while conditions are good. It means you should use a chance before it disappears.

If something makes your day, it makes you very happy. It is often used when someone does a kind, pleasant, or surprising thing.

An adult human male. It can also mean a male person in general in some older or formal uses.

Easy to control, handle, or deal with. Something manageable is not too difficult or too large for one person or situation.

A manager is a person who plans, directs, and checks work in a team, department, or company. They help people do their jobs and make decisions.

Relating to managing people, work, or an organization. It often describes jobs, duties, decisions, or skills used by managers.

Clearly seen or understood by anyone who looks. There is no doubt or confusion about it. This word is more formal than 'obvious' and is common in academic writing.

When a man explains something to a woman in a way that assumes she knows less than he does, often without being asked and in a patronizing tone. The woman usually already understands the topic, sometimes better than the man does.

Done by hand, not by a machine or computer. It can also mean using hands and skill instead of automatic systems.

A manuscript is a book, article, or other text that has been written but not yet printed or published. It can also mean an old handwritten copy of a text.

A maquette is a small model of a planned building, sculpture, or scene. Artists and designers use it to test shape, scale, and layout before making the final work.

Very small in size or importance; making very little difference. Something marginal exists or matters, but only just barely.

the extra satisfaction or benefit you get from one more unit of something. Economists use it to compare how useful a small increase is.

To soak food in a sauce, oil, or seasoned liquid before cooking. This adds flavor and can make the food softer.

The amount of a market that a product, company, or service has reached. It shows how much of the possible audience is already using it or buying it.

Able to be sold easily, because people want it and it looks useful or attractive. It can also mean good enough to attract interest from employers, buyers, or investors.

A room that belongs to Mary or is used by Mary. It often names a specific private room in a house, school, or story.

In a very skilful, confident, and expert way. It describes an action done with great control and good technique.

A masterpiece is a very great work of art, writing, music, or design. It is admired as the best work of an artist or creator.

A materialist is a person who cares a lot about money, possessions, and physical comfort. It can also mean someone who believes that only physical things are real.

The quality of thinking and behaving in a sensible, calm, and responsible way. It reflects good judgment and emotional balance, often developed through experience.

A meadow is a piece of open land covered mostly with grass and wild flowers. It is often used for grazing animals or left to grow naturally.

A meal is food that you eat at a regular time, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can also mean one occasion of eating together.

To move slowly in a winding, uneven path. It often suggests no fixed direction or hurry.

The idea, message, or importance that a word, action, sign, or event expresses. It is what someone wants to say or what something shows.

an informal phrase for a period when someone feels confused or upset because they are asking what their life is for. It often happens during stress, big change, or growing older.

Informal, humorous sweating or feeling very hot after eating a large, heavy meal, especially a lot of meat. People use it jokingly, not in formal writing.

Relating to illness, treatment, and doctors. It describes things used in healthcare or connected with medicine.

Medicine is a substance or product used to treat illness, pain, or disease. It can also mean the field of treating people who are sick.

A way of communicating, working, or expressing something, such as print, television, or the internet. It can also mean a substance or space where something grows, moves, or happens.

A meeting is an event where people gather to discuss something, make decisions, or plan work. It can be formal or informal, and it often has a clear purpose.

Feeling sad in a quiet, thoughtful way. It is softer and more reflective than strong grief or anger.

Describes a sound, voice, or speech that is smooth, sweet, and very pleasant to hear — like honey flowing. It suggests a quality that is both rich and effortless.

Mellow means soft, smooth, and pleasant in sound, taste, colour, or mood. It can also describe a person who is calm, relaxed, and not easily upset.

To change from a solid to a liquid because of heat. It can also mean to make something do this.

A sudden emotional or mental breakdown, when someone cannot cope and may act badly or break down in tears. It can also mean a serious failure or collapse in a system, plan, or machine.

Mendacity means the quality of being untruthful or dishonest. It is a formal word, often used in writing or speech about morals, politics, or character.

Relating to the mind, thoughts, or feelings. It describes anything connected with how a person thinks or feels, rather than the body.

Having sudden changes in mood or energy, often from lively and cheerful to difficult to predict. It can also suggest quick thinking and restless energy.

Describes a place or environment with a moderate amount of moisture. It is neither very dry nor very wet, and is often used in science.

A message is a piece of information sent to someone. It can be spoken, written, texted, or shown in other ways.

The study of genetic material taken directly from an environment, without first isolating and growing each organism. It helps scientists see all the microbes and genes in a sample together.

The science and technology of metals. It studies how to extract metals from ores, shape them, and improve their properties.

Metalwork is the skill or activity of making things from metal. It can include cutting, shaping, joining, or decorating metal.

To change completely in form, appearance, or character. It is often used for slow, major change, especially in writing or formal speech.

Relating to ideas about existence, reality, and what is beyond the physical world. It is used in philosophy, and sometimes in a spiritual or abstract way.

A relation in metaphysics that explains why something is true, real, or exists. It links a fact, property, or event to a deeper basis.

The part of philosophy that studies the nature of reality, existence, and what is beyond the physical world. It asks questions about being, time, cause, and mind.

Metastable describes a state that is stable for a while, but not perfectly stable. It can stay unchanged unless something disturbs it.

Doing things in a careful, step-by-step way, following a clear plan or order. A methodical person does not rush or skip steps — they move through a task in a calm, organised sequence.

Giving very careful attention to every small detail. A meticulous person makes sure nothing is missed or done carelessly. The word usually has a positive meaning — it shows high standards and professionalism.

careful painting or drawing done with great attention to small details. It suggests neat, controlled brush use and a very exact finish.

In a very careful and detailed way. Someone who does something meticulously pays close attention to every small part and tries not to make mistakes.

The collection of all microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, living in a particular place, especially in the human body. It also includes their genes and the environment they live in.

A tiny electronic chip used in computers and other devices. It stores and processes information.

A small place where local conditions are more sheltered or more suitable than the surrounding area. It often helps plants, animals, or people avoid heat, wind, cold, or dryness.

A microscope is a tool used to make very small objects look much bigger. Scientists, students, and doctors use it to see cells, germs, and tiny details.

A way of building software as many small, separate services. Each service does one job and can work with others through an API.

A set of automated steps used to build, test, and release microservices software. It helps teams deliver updates safely and often.

Software that sits between two programs or systems and helps them work together. It passes data, translates formats, and handles requests.

A stone post by the side of a road showing the distance to the next town, measured in miles. This is the original, literal meaning.

Mimesis is the imitation or representation of real life in art, literature, or drama. It can also mean the act of copying the look or behaviour of something.

The part of a person that thinks, remembers, and understands. It can also mean a person's thoughts, feelings, or opinion.

A difficult situation where mental stress and physical health affect each other. It is informal and often used for a problem that feels tangled or hard to solve.

The idea that mental strength can help you control pain, fear, or physical limits. It means willpower and focus can make a difficult thing feel easier.

Minimalism is a style or way of life that uses very few things and keeps only what is necessary. In art, design, or writing, it means using simple forms and little decoration.

Simple and using only a few basic things, colours, or details. A minimalist style avoids decoration and extra parts.

a plant with a fresh smell and taste, often used in food, tea, and sweets.

In a very detailed way, with careful attention to small parts. It often means something is examined or explained very closely.

A mirror is a smooth, shiny surface that reflects light and shows an image. People use it to see themselves or things behind them.

Very unhappy, uncomfortable, or in great pain. It can describe a person, an experience, or a situation that feels bad.

to miss a chance to do something useful, important, or profitable. It often means you acted too late, and the chance is gone.

To make something bad, harmful, or serious less severe. You do not remove the problem completely — you reduce its negative impact.

to reduce tension, disagreement, or conflict within a home or family. It is usually used in formal or careful writing.

to reduce the chance or impact of losing money. It is often used in business, banking, and investment writing.

To combine two or more things so they become one group or a single substance. It can also mean to put different people or ideas together.

A question or study about the basic nature of something and how it exists in different possible ways. It is a very formal, academic phrase and is not common in everyday English.

Not too much and not too little — somewhere in the middle. It describes something that avoids extremes in amount, degree, or intensity.

Of the present time or the recent past. Modern things are new, current, or not old-fashioned.

to update the way a home is run by using better methods, tools, or routines. It means making daily household tasks more efficient and organized.

To make deliberate changes to something so that it works better, fits a new purpose, or meets certain requirements. You keep most of the original thing but adjust specific parts.

Relating to molecules, which are the tiny parts that make up substances. It is used in science, especially chemistry, biology, and physics.

A molecule is the smallest part of a substance that can still exist on its own and keep the substance's chemical properties. It is made of two or more atoms joined together.

To make someone less angry, upset, or worried. It often means calming feelings after a problem or disagreement.

Relating to money, especially the supply and value of money in a country's economy. It often describes systems, policies, or official matters controlled by banks or governments.

To make money from something. It often means turning an idea, product, website, or audience into income.

Very large, solid, and made from one block or part. It can also describe something huge and fixed, with no clear differences inside it.

Montane means related to mountains. It is used for plants, animals, climates, or regions found in mountain areas, especially at higher levels.

Happening once every month, or related to a month. It describes a regular schedule or payment.

The natural satellite that moves around the Earth. It shines by reflecting sunlight, not by making its own light.

Relating to ideas of right and wrong, or to how people should behave. It can also mean based on your own standards of good behaviour.

a feeling of admiration or respect for someone's goodness, kindness, or moral strength. It can also mean the state of being raised to a higher moral level.

Morality is a set of ideas about what is right and wrong. It can also mean a person's or society's standards of good behavior.

If food is moreish, it tastes so good that you want to keep eating it. It is often used in British English.

A morsel is a very small piece of food. It can also mean a small amount of something, especially information or a thing you want.

A sweet and spicy Italian condiment made with fruit, mustard, and sugar or syrup. It is often served with meat or cheese.

The main circuit board in a computer. It connects the processor, memory, storage, and other parts so they can work together.

A motif is a repeated idea, image, sound, or pattern in a work of art, music, or writing. It helps connect the whole work and gives it a clear theme.

When an animal or bird loses old feathers, skin, or hair and grows new ones. People usually say 'shed' for mammals, and 'moult' for birds or some animals.

A small animal with a pointed nose, small ears, and a long thin tail. It often lives near people and eats grain or food.

The feeling of food or drink in your mouth when you eat or sip it. It includes texture, weight, and how smooth, thick, or creamy it feels.

Soft, wet dirt or waste matter. It is often dirty, thick, and unpleasant.

To make a situation less clear, more confusing, or harder to understand. People use it when someone adds new information, but it does not help solve the real issue.

A multimedia installation is an artwork or display that uses more than one medium, such as video, sound, light, images, or objects. It is usually made for a space you walk through or stand inside.

To eat something with enjoyment, often in a noisy or relaxed way. It usually suggests chewing a lot, not a formal meal.

A trip to buy or get snacks, especially because you want to eat something right away. It is informal and often used in everyday speech.

Informal food cravings, especially for snacks. It usually means a strong desire to eat something small and tasty. In some contexts, it can also mean snacks themselves.

Having a chewy or slightly crunchy texture. It is often used for food that takes a bit of chewing, like snacks or fruit.

Lacking excitement or special interest; too ordinary and everyday. It often carries a slightly negative feeling, suggesting something is disappointingly dull or repetitive.

A mural is a large picture painted or fixed directly on a wall or ceiling. It is often made to decorate a public place or tell a story.

Muralism is the art or practice of painting murals on walls. It is often used for large public artworks in streets, buildings, and schools.

A music lesson is a class or session where someone learns or practices singing, an instrument, or music skills. It is usually taught by a teacher or tutor.

Related to music, or having a natural ability to make pleasant music. It can also describe sounds that are pleasing to hear.

Able to change easily. A mutable thing, idea, or feeling is not fixed and can shift over time.

A strong feeling of joy or triumph that is kept quiet or not fully shown. It is more restrained than open celebration.