English

Eng-lish · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (noun) The language spoken in the United Kingdom, the United States, and many other countries worldwide.

  2. 2.

    (adjective) Relating to England, its people, or its language.

  3. 3.

    (noun, with "the") The people of England collectively.

  4. 4.

    (noun, sports) Spin given to a ball, especially in billiards, pool, or bowling.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    plain English — clear, simple language without jargon
  • •
    the Queen's/King's English — standard, correct English
  • •
    English muffin — a round, flat bread (American term)
  • •
    English Channel — the body of water between England and France

Related words

See also: american, british, grammar, language

Etymology

From Old English Englisc, meaning "belonging to the Angles," the Germanic tribe that settled in Britain. The Angles came from Angul, a region in what is now northern Germany and Denmark. The name ultimately derives from Proto-Germanic anguz meaning "narrow," referring to the narrow waters of the Baltic Sea.