English
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Eng·lish
(ĭng′glĭsh)adj.
1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of England or its people or culture.
2. Of or relating to the English language.
n.
1. (used with a pl. verb) The people of England.
2.
a. The West Germanic language of England, the United States, and other countries that are or have been under English influence or control.
b. The English language of a particular time, region, person, or group of persons: American English.
3. A translation into or an equivalent in the English language.
4. A course or individual class in the study of English language, literature, or composition.
5. also english
a. The spin given to a propelled ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist.
b. Bodily movement in an effort to influence the movement of a propelled object; body English.
tr.v. Eng·lished, Eng·lish·ing, Eng·lish·es
1. To translate into English.
2. To adapt into English; Anglicize.
[Middle English, from Old English Englisc, from Engle, the Angles.]
Eng′lish·ness n.
Word History: English is derived from England, one would think. But in fact the language name is found long before the country name. The latter first appears as Englaland around the year 1000 and means "the land of the Engle," that is, the Angles. The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes were the three Germanic tribes that emigrated from what is now Denmark and northern Germany and settled in England around the fourth century ad. Early on, the Angles enjoyed a rise to power that must have made them seem more important than the other two tribes, for all three tribes are indiscriminately referred to in early documents as Angles. The speech of the three tribes was conflated in the same way: they all spoke what would have been called *Anglisc, or "Anglish," as it were. By the earliest recorded Old English, this had changed to Englisc. In Middle English, the first vowel, originally pronounced (ĕ) in Old English, changed further and became the familiar (ĭ) of today, as reflected in the occasional spellings Ingland and Inglish. The same change in the pronunciation of the short vowel (ĕ) to (ĭ) before the sound (ng) also occurred in other Middle English words, such as streng and weng. In Modern English, these words are now always spelled string and wing with an i, but the old spelling with e, reflecting the vowel's earlier pronunciation, has been kept in the case of England and English. See Note at British
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
English
(ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ)n
1. (Languages) the official language of Britain, the US, most parts of the Commonwealth, and certain other countries. It is the native language of over 280 million people and is acquired as a second language by many more. It is an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch. See also Middle English, Old English, Modern English
2. (Peoples) the English (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of England collectively
3. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) (formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 14 point
4. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) an old style of black-letter typeface
5. (Billiards & Snooker) (often not capital) the usual US and Canadian term for side16
adj
6. (Languages) denoting, using, or relating to the English language
7. (Peoples) relating to or characteristic of England or the English
8. (Placename) relating to or characteristic of England or the English
vb (tr)
(Linguistics) archaic to translate or adapt into English.
ˈEnglishness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
Eng•lish
(ˈɪŋ glɪʃ or, often, -lɪʃ)n.
1. the West Germanic language of England: the official language of the United Kingdom and an official, standard, or auxiliary language in the U.S. and regions formerly under British or U.S. dominion, as Ireland, Canada, Australia, and parts of the Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, and Oceania. Abbr.: E
2. (used with a pl. v.)
a. the inhabitants of England.
b. natives of England or persons of English ancestry living outside England.
3. English language, composition, and literature as a course of study in school.
4. simple, straightforward language.
5. (sometimes l.c.)
a. a spinning motion imparted to a ball, esp. in billiards.
6. a 14-point printing type.
7. a grade of calendered paper having a smooth matte finish.
adj. 8. of or pertaining to England, its inhabitants, or the language English.
v.t. 9. to translate into English.
10. to adopt (a foreign word) into English; Anglicize.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English Englisc=Engle (pl.) the English (compare Latin Anglī; see Angle) + -isc -ish1]
Eng′lish•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
English
See also language.
1. a word, idiom, or feature of the English language occurring in or borrowed by another language.
2. U.S. a Briticism.
3. any manner, idea, or custom typical of the English people. Also called Englishism.
2. U.S. a Briticism.
3. any manner, idea, or custom typical of the English people. Also called Englishism.
an authority on the English language or English literature.
a word or phrase characteristic of speakers of English in Britain and not usually used by English speakers elsewhere.
-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
English
English can be an adjective or a noun.
1. used as an adjective
English means 'belonging or relating to England, its people, or its language'.
My wife's English.
...an English pub.
...the English language.
English is sometimes used to mean 'belonging or relating to Great Britain'. However, it is better to avoid this use, as it may cause offence to people who come from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
2. used as a noun
English is the language spoken in Britain, the United States, and many other countries.
Do you speak English?
Half the letter was in Swedish and half in English.
English is also the study of the English language or English literature.
Karen obtained A levels in English, French, and Geography.
...an English lesson.
People who come from England are sometimes referred to as the English.
The English love privacy.
You can sometimes refer to a group of English people, for example supporters of the England football team, as the English.
Why do so many of us love to see the English being beaten in sport?
3. 'Englishman' and 'Englishwoman'
You do not refer to a single English person as an 'English'. You refer to them as an Englishman or an Englishwoman.
Not a single Englishman was arrested.
...a beautiful Englishwoman.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | English - an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries West Germanic, West Germanic language - a branch of the Germanic languages cockney - the nonstandard dialect of natives of the east end of London geordie - the nonstandard dialect of natives of Newcastle-upon-Tyne King's English, Queen's English - English as spoken by educated persons in southern England Received Pronunciation - the approved pronunciation of British English; originally based on the King's English as spoken at public schools and at Oxford and Cambridge Universities (and widely accepted elsewhere in Britain); until recently it was the pronunciation of English used in British broadcasting Middle English - English from about 1100 to 1450 Modern English - English since about 1450 Old English, Anglo-Saxon - English prior to about 1100 Oxford English - the dialect of English spoken at Oxford University and regarded by many as affected and pretentious |
| 2. | English - the people of England | |
| 3. | English - the discipline that studies the English language and literature arts, humanistic discipline, humanities, liberal arts - studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills); "the college of arts and sciences" | |
| 4. | English - (sports) the spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist spin - a swift whirling motion (usually of a missile) | |
| Adj. | 1. | English - of or relating to or characteristic of England or its culture or people; "English history"; "the English landed aristocracy"; "English literature" |
| 2. | English - of or relating to the English language |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
Engels
إنجليزيإنْجليزياللغة الإنْجليزيَّهاِنْـجِلِيزيّ
английскиангличанинангличанка
anglès
anglickýangličtinaAngličanAngličanka
engelsk
anglaanglalingvaanglobritalingvo
inglise
انگلیسی
englantienglantilainensivukierreenglannin kieli
אנגליתשייך למערכת המידות האנגלית
अंग्रेज़ी
engleskiEngleski jezik
angolangolul
anglese
bahasaInggris
enskaenskurenglendingur
英語イングランドのえいご
영어잉글랜드 사람잉글랜드의
AnglicaAngluslingua anglica
anglų kalbaanglasanglėangliškaiangliškas
angļuangļu-angļu valoda
ഇംഗ്ലീഷ്
englezălimba engleză
anglickýangličtinaAngličanAngličankaanglická
angleščinaAngležAngležinja
engleskiенглески
engelskengelskaengelsman
-ingerezaKiingereza
ภาษาอังกฤษเกี่ยวกับชาวอังกฤษ
English
англійськаанглійський
انگریزانگریزی
tiếng Anhthuộc nước Anh
English
[ˈɪŋglɪʃ]A. ADJ → inglés
B. N (Ling) → inglés m
Old English → inglés m antiguo
King's/Queen's English → inglés m correcto
in plain English → en el habla corriente → en cristiano
English as a Foreign Language → inglés para extranjeros
English as a Second Language → inglés como segunda lengua
the English (= people) → los ingleses
Old English → inglés m antiguo
King's/Queen's English → inglés m correcto
in plain English → en el habla corriente → en cristiano
English as a Foreign Language → inglés para extranjeros
English as a Second Language → inglés como segunda lengua
the English (= people) → los ingleses
C. CPD English breakfast N → desayuno m inglés or a la inglesa
the English Channel N → el Canal de la Mancha
English Heritage N → Patrimonio m Histórico-Artístico
English Language Teaching N → enseñanza f del inglés
English speaker N → anglohablante mf
the English Channel N → el Canal de la Mancha
English Heritage N → Patrimonio m Histórico-Artístico
English Language Teaching N → enseñanza f del inglés
English speaker N → anglohablante mf
ENGLISH
En el Reino Unido, se llama Received Pronunciation o RP a un tipo de acento no asociado a ninguna región en concreto (si bien tuvo su origen en el inglés hablado en el sur de Inglaterra) que hoy en día usan especialmente las personas educadas en colegios privados, las clases dirigentes y los locutores en los informativos nacionales de la BBC. En los medios de comunicación se acepta ya el uso de acentos regionales siempre y cuando se use la norma lingüística, es decir, utilicen un inglés gramaticalmente correcto, el llamado Standard English. La pronunciación RP suele también tomarse como norma en la enseñanza del inglés británico como lengua extranjera. Todavía goza de cierto prestigio, aunque la gran mayoría de la población habla con el acento de su región, que puede ser más o menos marcado según su educación o clase social.
El inglés americano difiere del inglés británico principalmente en la pronunciación, aunque también hay diferencias ortográficas y léxicas. Tiene también una pronunciación estándar, conocida por el nombre de Network Standard, que es la que se usa en los medios de comunicación, así como diversas variedades regionales. A diferencia del Reino Unido, la asociación de acento y clase social no es muy evidente.
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
English
[ˈɪŋglɪʃ] adj → anglais(e)
I'm English → Je suis anglais.
an English girl → une Anglaise
English people → les Anglais
I'm English → Je suis anglais.
an English girl → une Anglaise
English people → les Anglais
n (= language) → anglais m
Do you speak English? → Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?
in English → en anglais
Do you speak English? → Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?
in English → en anglais
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
English
adj → englisch; he is English → er ist Engländer; he’s an English teacher (teaching English) → er ist Englischlehrer; (English by nationality) → er ist ein englischer Lehrer; English translator → englischer Übersetzer, englische Übersetzerin; (foreign) → Übersetzer(in) m(f) → für Englisch; (full) English breakfast → englisches Frühstück
n
the English pl → die Engländer pl
(Ling) → Englisch nt; (= the English language in general, English grammar) → Englisch nt, → das Englische; (as university subject) → Anglistik f; can you speak English? → können Sie Englisch?; he doesn’t speak English → er spricht kein Englisch; “English spoken” → „hier wird Englisch gesprochen“; they were speaking English → sie unterhielten sich auf Englisch; he speaks very good English → er spricht ein sehr gutes Englisch; in English → auf or in (inf) → Englisch; in good/modern-day English → in gutem/modernem Englisch; to translate something into/from English → etw ins Englische/aus dem Englischen übersetzen; is that English? (= correct) → ist das richtig?; that’s not English → das ist verkehrt, das ist falsches Englisch; English/teaching English as a foreign language (abbr EFL/TEFL) → Englisch als Fremdsprache; the King’s/Queen’s English → die englische Hochsprache ? Old English, plain ADJ b
English
:English Channel
n → Ärmelkanal m
English flute
n (Mus) → Blockflöte f
English Heritage
n (Brit) Organisation für die Pflege von Denkmälern und historischen Bauwerken in England
English horn
n (Mus: = cor anglais) → Englischhorn nt
Englishman
English muffin
n (US Cook) flaches Milchbrötchen, das meist getoastet gegessen wird
English speaker
n → Englischsprachige(r) mf
English-speaking
adj → englischsprachig
Englishwoman
n → Engländerin f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
English
(ˈiŋgliʃ) adjective of England or its inhabitants. three English people; the English language.
noun the main language of England and the rest of Britain, North America, a great part of the British Commonwealth and some other countries. He speaks English.
Englishman – feminine ˈEnglishwoman – noun a person born in England.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
English
→ اِنْـجِلِيزيّ anglický, angličtina engelsk Engländer, englisch αγγλικός, Άγγλος inglés englanti, englantilainen anglais engleski inglese イングランドの, 英語 잉글랜드 사람, 잉글랜드의 Engels engelsk angielski, Anglik inglês английский, английский язык engelsk, engelska เกี่ยวกับชาวอังกฤษ, ภาษาอังกฤษ İngiliz thuộc nước Anh, tiếng Anh 英国人的, 英语Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
English
n. [language] inglés; [native]
a. inglés, inglesa.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
| English |
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009