WordPlay: Fancy That! British Words in the Spelling Bee
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The LexiConnexxions analysis has identified many BRITISH WORDS in the Spelling Bee lexicon.
This WordPlay report compiles and defines words in the Spelling Bee lexicon that standard dictionaries label as being chiefly British (or Scottish). Conventional "Hive" wisdom has long been confident that “chiefly British” words are not included in the Spelling Bee. However, the Bee editor has said only that the Bee will not include “clear variants or British variants on American English words,” a statement that LexiConnexxions believes refers only to variant spellings (e.g., colour and color).
However, because of the perennial interest amongst Bee solvers in the inclusion of exclusion of British words in the Spelling Bee, LexiConnexxions has prepared this report.
During our topical analysis of the Bee lexicon, LexiConnexxions made note of words that Merriam-Webster (abridged) labeled as British or Scottish. We cross-checked each of these words in three other dictionaries (Merriam-Webster unabridged, the New Oxford American Dictionary, and the Collins dictionaries), and recorded the definitions from each of these sources. A summary of these findings is given immediately below, followed by a table that displays, for each word, the relevant information from each of those dictionaries. LexiConnexxions does not take any position on the "Britishness" of these words or whether they are or are not eligible for inclusion in the Spelling Bee
Words in ALL CAPS are Spelling Bee pangrams. Bee words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Spelling Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest. This report is a work in progress and may be incomplete.
ABOUT THE LEXITOPICS PROJECT
BRITISH WORDS in the Spelling Bee Lexicon: Summaries of Dictionary Reviews
aeon: Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “aeon” as British.
affray: An archaic or obsolete meaning of “affray” is a fright or terror. The word survives as a legal term meaning a fight in a public place, especially one that disturbs the peace. Two of the four dictionaries cited here label that definition as British.
antenatal: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “antenatal” as British, but one also labels it as being in American English
bedhead: Three of four dictionaries cited here give as their primary entry “bedhead" (or bed-head), define it as a headboard (the head of a bed), and label it as British. The same three offer bedhead, bed head, or bed-head as a secondary entry, defining it as having mussed hair. Only NOAD defines “bedhead” as related to hair.
BLOCKABLE: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only Collins has an entry for “blockable,” and labels it as British.
bloke: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bloke” as British.
bollix: Though none of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bollix” as British, all four dictionaries indicate that the word is derived from (or a variant spelling of) “bollocks," a word that each of the four labels as British.
bonny: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bonny” as chiefly British or Scottish.
bookable: Three of four dictionaries cited here label "bookable" as British.
carpark: Though all four dictionaries format “car park” as an open compound, each labels the word as British.
clour*: Three of the four dictionaries cited here label "clour” as Scottish; the fourth does not include an entry.
colour*: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “colour” as British.
cuppa: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “cuppa” as British.
daft: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "daft” as British or Scottish.
dangly: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “dangly,” and only one of those two labels it as British.
decommit: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “decommit,” and only one of those labels it as British.
decommitted: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “decommitted,” and only one of those labels it as British.
delayable: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “delayable,” and labels it as British.
dodgy: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "dodgy” as British.
electee: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “electee,” and labels it as British.
expat: Two of the four dictionaries cited here label “expat” as British.
fiddly: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "fiddly” as British.
fillable: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “fillable,” and labels it as British.
flatmate: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "flatmate” as British.
gawp: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "gawp” as British.
gawping: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "gawping” as British.
hart: Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “hart” as British.
hobnobby*: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “hobnobby,” and it is labeled as British.
hullo*: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "hullo” as British.
inbuilt: Two of the four dictionaries cited here label “inbuilt” as British.
journo: Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “journo” as British.
leant: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "leant” as British.
lorry: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "lorry” as British.
lovey: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “lovey” as a standalone word, and both label it as British.
mack*: Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “mack” as short for “macintosh” (the garment) and each of the three labels it as British.
matey: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "matey” as British.
midmonth: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “midmonth,” and it is labeled as British.
minicab: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "minicab” as British. mononym: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “mononym,” and only one of the two labels it as British.
moor: Each of the four dictionaries cited here gives the first definition of “moor” as a tract of open, uncultivated land, and each labels this as British.
MOTORWAY: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "motorway” as British.
affray: An archaic or obsolete meaning of “affray” is a fright or terror. The word survives as a legal term meaning a fight in a public place, especially one that disturbs the peace. Two of the four dictionaries cited here label that definition as British.
antenatal: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “antenatal” as British, but one also labels it as being in American English
bedhead: Three of four dictionaries cited here give as their primary entry “bedhead" (or bed-head), define it as a headboard (the head of a bed), and label it as British. The same three offer bedhead, bed head, or bed-head as a secondary entry, defining it as having mussed hair. Only NOAD defines “bedhead” as related to hair.
BLOCKABLE: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only Collins has an entry for “blockable,” and labels it as British.
bloke: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bloke” as British.
bollix: Though none of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bollix” as British, all four dictionaries indicate that the word is derived from (or a variant spelling of) “bollocks," a word that each of the four labels as British.
bonny: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bonny” as chiefly British or Scottish.
bookable: Three of four dictionaries cited here label "bookable" as British.
carpark: Though all four dictionaries format “car park” as an open compound, each labels the word as British.
clour*: Three of the four dictionaries cited here label "clour” as Scottish; the fourth does not include an entry.
colour*: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “colour” as British.
cuppa: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “cuppa” as British.
daft: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "daft” as British or Scottish.
dangly: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “dangly,” and only one of those two labels it as British.
decommit: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “decommit,” and only one of those labels it as British.
decommitted: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “decommitted,” and only one of those labels it as British.
delayable: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “delayable,” and labels it as British.
dodgy: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "dodgy” as British.
electee: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “electee,” and labels it as British.
expat: Two of the four dictionaries cited here label “expat” as British.
fiddly: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "fiddly” as British.
fillable: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “fillable,” and labels it as British.
flatmate: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "flatmate” as British.
gawp: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "gawp” as British.
gawping: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "gawping” as British.
hart: Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “hart” as British.
hobnobby*: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “hobnobby,” and it is labeled as British.
hullo*: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "hullo” as British.
inbuilt: Two of the four dictionaries cited here label “inbuilt” as British.
journo: Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “journo” as British.
leant: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "leant” as British.
lorry: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "lorry” as British.
lovey: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “lovey” as a standalone word, and both label it as British.
mack*: Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “mack” as short for “macintosh” (the garment) and each of the three labels it as British.
matey: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "matey” as British.
midmonth: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “midmonth,” and it is labeled as British.
minicab: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "minicab” as British. mononym: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “mononym,” and only one of the two labels it as British.
moor: Each of the four dictionaries cited here gives the first definition of “moor” as a tract of open, uncultivated land, and each labels this as British.
MOTORWAY: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "motorway” as British.
nametape: Each of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “nametape,” but only one of the three labels it as “British.”
netty: Two of the four dictionaries cited here define “netty” to mean “netlike;” the other two define it to mean an earth closet, and each of those two labels that definition as British.
nonillionth*: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “nonillionth,” and it is labeled as British.
nuancing: Three of the four dictionaries cited here define “nuance” as a verb, but only one of the three labels it as British.
oaty: Two of the four dictionaries cited here define “oaty” as an adjective, but only one of the two labels it as British.
odeon: Three of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “odeon,” but only one labels it as British.
omigod: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “omigod,” and only one of the two labels it as British.
outgone: Each of the four dictionaries cited here includes “outgo” as a verb. Two of the four include “outgone” as a past participle of “outgo,” but only one labels it as British.
pinny: Three of the four dictionaries cited here labels “pinny” as British.
prat: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “prat” as British.
quieten*: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “quieten” as British.
rollbar: Three of the four dictionaries cited here present the word as an open compound (“roll bar”). The fourth presents it as a closed compound (“rollbar”) and labels it as British.
romcom: Two of the dictionaries cited here have entries for the closed compound, unhyphenated “romcom;” one labels it as British.
rotolo*: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “rotolo,” and it is labeled as British.
tailfin*: Three of the dictionaries cited here present “tailfin” as an open compound “tail fin.” The fourth presents it as a closed compound and labels it as British.
talcum: Only one of the dictionaries cited here labels “talcum” as British.
teabag: Three of the four dictionaries cited here present the word as an open compound (“tea bag”). The fourth has an entry for the closed compound “teabag” and labels it as British.
tock: Two of the four dictionaries cited define “tock” as a species of hornbill; the third has no entry; the fourth defines it as the sound of a clock and labels it as “British.”
tranq: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for ”tranq;” one of them labels it as British.
trilby: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “trilby” as British.
tubeful: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “tubeful,” and labels it as British.
twee: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “twee” as British.
unceded: Two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “unceded,” but only one of them labels it as British.
unjam: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unjam,” and labels it as British.
UNJAMMING: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unjamming,” and labels it as British.
unlet: Each of the four dictionaries cited here has an entry for “unlet,” but only one labels it as British.
unmount: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unmount,” and labels it as British.
unwedded: Two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “unwedded,” and one of them labels it as British.
uplit: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “uplit,” and labels it as British.
vegged: Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “vegged,” and one of the three labels it as British.
vegging: Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “vegging,” and one of the three labels it as British.
videoed: Two of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “videoed,” and one labels it as British.
whinge: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whinge” as British.
whingeing: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whingeing” as British.
whinging: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whinging” as British.
woohoo: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here presents “woohoo” as unhyphenated, and that entry is marked as British.
netty: Two of the four dictionaries cited here define “netty” to mean “netlike;” the other two define it to mean an earth closet, and each of those two labels that definition as British.
nonillionth*: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “nonillionth,” and it is labeled as British.
nuancing: Three of the four dictionaries cited here define “nuance” as a verb, but only one of the three labels it as British.
oaty: Two of the four dictionaries cited here define “oaty” as an adjective, but only one of the two labels it as British.
odeon: Three of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “odeon,” but only one labels it as British.
omigod: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “omigod,” and only one of the two labels it as British.
outgone: Each of the four dictionaries cited here includes “outgo” as a verb. Two of the four include “outgone” as a past participle of “outgo,” but only one labels it as British.
pinny: Three of the four dictionaries cited here labels “pinny” as British.
prat: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “prat” as British.
quieten*: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “quieten” as British.
rollbar: Three of the four dictionaries cited here present the word as an open compound (“roll bar”). The fourth presents it as a closed compound (“rollbar”) and labels it as British.
romcom: Two of the dictionaries cited here have entries for the closed compound, unhyphenated “romcom;” one labels it as British.
rotolo*: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “rotolo,” and it is labeled as British.
tailfin*: Three of the dictionaries cited here present “tailfin” as an open compound “tail fin.” The fourth presents it as a closed compound and labels it as British.
talcum: Only one of the dictionaries cited here labels “talcum” as British.
teabag: Three of the four dictionaries cited here present the word as an open compound (“tea bag”). The fourth has an entry for the closed compound “teabag” and labels it as British.
tock: Two of the four dictionaries cited define “tock” as a species of hornbill; the third has no entry; the fourth defines it as the sound of a clock and labels it as “British.”
tranq: Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for ”tranq;” one of them labels it as British.
trilby: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “trilby” as British.
tubeful: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “tubeful,” and labels it as British.
twee: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “twee” as British.
unceded: Two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “unceded,” but only one of them labels it as British.
unjam: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unjam,” and labels it as British.
UNJAMMING: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unjamming,” and labels it as British.
unlet: Each of the four dictionaries cited here has an entry for “unlet,” but only one labels it as British.
unmount: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unmount,” and labels it as British.
unwedded: Two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “unwedded,” and one of them labels it as British.
uplit: Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “uplit,” and labels it as British.
vegged: Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “vegged,” and one of the three labels it as British.
vegging: Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “vegging,” and one of the three labels it as British.
videoed: Two of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “videoed,” and one labels it as British.
whinge: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whinge” as British.
whingeing: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whingeing” as British.
whinging: Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whinging” as British.
woohoo: Only one of the four dictionaries cited here presents “woohoo” as unhyphenated, and that entry is marked as British.
DICTIONARIES CITED FOR THIS REPORT
M-W Abridged = Merriam-Webster (abridged) https://www.merriam-webster.com/
M-W Unbridged = Merriam-Webster Unabridged (subscription required) https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/
NOAD = New Oxford American Dictionary (subscription required) https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195392883.001.0001/acref-9780195392883
COLLINS = Collins Online Dictionary https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/ The Collins online "dictionary" agglomerates entries from multiple HarperCollins dictionaries. A typical Collins entry begins with a generic summary definition, then lists the discrete definitions compiled from its various dictionaries. These dictionary entries were retrieved on 2026-09-09 (for M-W unabridged) and 2026-09-07 (for all others). Most have been lightly edited to remove pronunciations, etymological notes, example sentences, and (for the Collins entries) citations to the various dictionaries from which the definitions were drawn; however, the entries in the table below preserve the order in which the information was presented in each source, the original wordings of the labels and definitions, and the line breaks and punctuation.
M-W Unbridged = Merriam-Webster Unabridged (subscription required) https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/
NOAD = New Oxford American Dictionary (subscription required) https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780195392883.001.0001/acref-9780195392883
COLLINS = Collins Online Dictionary https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/ The Collins online "dictionary" agglomerates entries from multiple HarperCollins dictionaries. A typical Collins entry begins with a generic summary definition, then lists the discrete definitions compiled from its various dictionaries. These dictionary entries were retrieved on 2026-09-09 (for M-W unabridged) and 2026-09-07 (for all others). Most have been lightly edited to remove pronunciations, etymological notes, example sentences, and (for the Collins entries) citations to the various dictionaries from which the definitions were drawn; however, the entries in the table below preserve the order in which the information was presented in each source, the original wordings of the labels and definitions, and the line breaks and punctuation.
BRITISH WORDS in the Spelling Bee Lexicon: What the Dictionaries Tell Us
Words in ALL CAPS are Spelling Bee pangrams. Bee words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Spelling Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
BEE WORD | COMMENT | M-W ABRIDGED | M-W UNABRIDGED | NOAD | COLLINS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
aeon | Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “aeon” as British. | chiefly British spelling of eon1: an immeasurably or indefinitely long period of time : age2 a: a very large division of geologic time usually longer than an erathe Archean eonb: a unit of geologic time equal to one billion years | or eon1: an immeasurably or indefinitely long period of time : age 2 in Gnosticism especially as taught by the Valentinians : one of the group of eternal beings that together form the fullness of the supreme being from whom they emanate and between whom and the world they are intermediaries3a: usually eon : any large part of geological time usually longer than an erab: a unit of geologic time equal to one billion years | eon(mainly British English aeon)1 (often eons) an indefinite and very long period of time 2 Astronomy Geology a unit of time equal to a thousand million years. 2.1 Geology a major division of geological time, subdivided into eras 3 Philosophy (in Neoplatonism, Platonism, and Gnosticism) a power existing from eternity; an emanation or phase of the supreme deity. | [British]eon in American Englisheon in American English1. (in Gnosticism) one of a class of powers or beings conceived as emanating from the Supreme Being and performing various functions in the operations of the universe2. See eon in British Englishor especially US eon 1. an immeasurably long period of time; age2. a period of one thousand million years3. (often capital) Gnosticismone of the powers emanating from the supreme being and culminating in the demiurge |
affray | An archaic or obsolete meaning of “affray” is a fright or terror. The word survives as a legal term meaning a fight in a public place, especially one that disturbs the peace. Two of the four dictionaries cited here label that definition as British. | 1 archaic : fray, brawl2 chiefly British: a fight in a public place that disturbs the peace archaic: to startle, frighten | 1 obsolete : alarm, fright, terror2: a tumultuous assault : a violent engagement or action : fray, brawl, quarrel; specifically : the fighting of two or more persons in a public place so as to frighten others, the offense under the law consisting in the disturbance of the public peace transitive verb1 archaic : startle, alarm2 archaica: scareb: to frighten away | dated Lawan instance of fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace | An affray is a noisy and violent fight, especially in a public place. in American English1. a noisy brawl or quarrel; public fight or riot; breach of the peace in American English1. a public fight; a noisy quarrel; brawl2. Law: the fighting of two or more persons in a public place in British English 1. law: a fight, noisy quarrel, or disturbance between two or more persons in a public place2. archaic: to frighten |
antenatal | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “antenatal” as British, but one also labels it as being in American English. | chiefly Britishprenatalantenatal | chiefly British: of or relating to an unborn child: occurring during pregnancy | British Englishbefore birth; prenatal | Antenatal is used to describe things relating to the medical care of women during pregnancy. Britishbefore birth; prenatal in American Englishprevious to birth or to giving birth; prenatalan antenatal clinic in British English1. occurring or present before birth; during pregnancy2. Also called: prenatal informal an examination during pregnancy |
bedhead | Three of four dictionaries cited here give as their primary entry “bedhead" (or bed-head), define it as a headboard (the head of a bed), and label it as British. The same three offer bedhead, bed head, or bed-head as a secondary entry, defining it as having mussed hair. Only NOAD defines “bedhead” as related to hair. | 1: the head of a bedespecially, Britishheadboard2 or bed head informal : hair that is mussed or tangled when a person gets out of bed | 1: the head of a bed especially, British : headboard 2 or bed head , informal : hair that is mussed or tangled when a person gets out of bed | informalhair with an untidy appearance, such as results from lying in bed | also bed-head 1. A bedhead is a board that is attached to the end of a bed behind your head.[British]regional note: in AM, use headboard2. If you say that someone has bedhead hair, you mean that their hairstyle is deliberately untidy, as if they have been lying in bed. in American English1. slang hair that is unkempt, matted, or tousled, as after sleep2. a hairstyle resembling this in British Englishor bed-head Britisha board fixed to the end of the bed behind one's head |
BLOCKABLE | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only Collins has an entry for “blockable,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | No exact match found for “blockable” in US English | in British Englishable to be blocked or prevented |
bloke | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bloke” as British. | chiefly British, informalman, fellow | or bloakchiefly British: man, chap, fellow —used informally and commonly implying mild disrespect when applied to a superior and slight or affected deprecation when used of oneself | informal British Englisha man | A bloke is a man.[British, informal]He is a really nice bloke. in American Englishslang, chiefly Britisha man; fellow; chap in American Englishchiefly Brit informalman; fellow; guy in British EnglishBritish and Australianan informal word for man |
bollix | Though none of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bollix” as British, all four dictionaries indicate that the word is derived from (or a variant spelling of) “bollocks," a word that each of the four labels as British. | to throw into disorderalso : bungle —usually used with up bollix noun | or less commonly bolix1: to throw into disorder : involve in bewildering entanglements —usually used with up2: to perform or carry out badly : botch, bungle —often used with up bollixor less commonly bolix: a confused jumble : hodgepodge, mess | vulgar slangverb(usually bollix something up) [with object]bungle (a task).plural nounvariant spelling of bollocks | in American Englishto make a muddle of; bungle; botch [usually with up] in American Englishinformal1. (often fol. by up) to do (something) badly; to bungle2. a confused bungleAlso: bolix, bollox |
bonny | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “bonny” as chiefly British or Scottish. | variants or less commonly bonnie chiefly Britishattractive, fairalso : fine, excellent | or less commonly bonnie1 chiefly British : having a pleasing appearance:a of a person : attractive especially as suggesting health, charm, sweetness, and livelinessb of a place : pleasant especially through the appeal of the mild, placid, and rural2 a chiefly British : of considerable degree, size, or quantityb British(1) : in good health(2) : plump3 archaic : happy, gay4 British : very pleasant : fine, excellent —a generalized term of approbation sometimes used ironically | (also bonnie) Scottish English, Northern England1 attractive or beautiful: a bonny lass 1.1 (of a baby) plump and healthy-looking. 1.2 sizable; considerable (usually expressing approval) (my bonny) literary: used as a form of address for one's beloved or baby. | Someone or something that is bonny is attractive and nice to look at.[mainly Scottish, or Northern England] in American English or bonnienow chiefly British1. handsome or pretty, with a healthy glow2. fine; pleasant in American English1. chiefly Scot pleasing to the eye; handsome; pretty2. Brit dialect (of people)a. (of people)healthy, sweet, and livelyb. (of places)placid; tranquilc. pleasing; agreeable; good3. Brit dialect pleasingly; agreeably; very well4. a pretty girl or young womanAlso: bonnie in British English1. Scottish and Northern England dialectbeautiful or handsome a bonny lass2. merry or lively 3. good or fine 4. (esp of babies) plump5. Scottish and Northern England dialect considerable; to be reckoned with6. informal agreeably or well |
bookable | Three of four dictionaries cited here label "bookable" as British. | chiefly Britishthat may be booked or reserved in advance | chiefly British: that may be booked or reserved in advance | 1 able to be reserved 2 Soccer (of an offense) serious enough for the offending player to be cautioned by the referee | 1. If something such as a theatre seat or plane ticket is bookable, it can be booked in advance. [mainly British]2. In sports such as football, a bookable offence is an action for which a player can be officially warned by the referee. in British English1. capable of being reserved in advance2. meriting the punishment of a booking |
carpark | Though all four dictionaries format “car park” as an open compound, each labels the word as British. | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound car park] car parkchiefly Britisha lot or garage for parking | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound car park] car parkchiefly British: an area set apart for the parking of motor vehicles : parking lot | [NOAD’s only entry is the open compound car park] car parkBritish Englishan area or building where cars or other vehicles may be left temporarily; a parking lot or parking garage | [Collins’ primary entry is the open compound car park] car parkalso carpark A car park is an area or building where people can leave their cars.[British]regional note: in AM, use parking lot in American EnglishBritish parking lot in American Englishchiefly Brita parking lot in British Englishan area or building reserved for parking cars.Usual US and Canadian term: parking lot |
clour* | Three of the four dictionaries cited here label "clour” as Scottish; the fourth does not include an entry. | chiefly Scottish: a bump on the head made by a blow, also: the blow itself verbchiefly Scottish:to batter, thump | chiefly Scottish:
a bump on the head made by a blow also : the blow itself verbchiefly Scottish: to batter, thump | No exact match found for “clour” in US English | in British EnglishScottish 1. a bump on the head2. to thump or dent |
colour* | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “colour” as British. | chiefly British spelling of color | chiefly British spelling of color | British English colour | in American EnglishBrit. sp. of color in American Englishchiefly Brit see color in British Englishor US color |
cuppa | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “cuppa” as British. | chiefly British: a cup of tea | chiefly British: a cup of tea | informalBritish English a cup of tea contractioncup of | A cuppa is a cup of tea.[British, informal] in American EnglishBritish, informala cup of tea in American EnglishBrit informala cup of tea in British Englishor cuppermainly British and Australian informala cup of tea |
daft | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "daft” as British or Scottish. | 1 chiefly British, informal : silly, foolish2 chiefly British, informal : mad3 Scotland : frivolously merry | 1a: silly, foolish, especially : foolishly fondb: out of one's mind : mad, insane2 Scottish : merry and frivolous : frolicsome | informalBritish English1 silly, foolish, or eccentric2 (daft about) infatuated with | If you describe a person or their behaviour as daft, you think that they are stupid, impractical, or rather strange.[British, informal] in American English1. silly; foolish2. mentally ill3. Scottish merry or frolicsome in a giddy way in American English1. senseless, stupid, or foolish2. offensive having a mental illness3. Scot merry; playful; frolicsome in British Englishmainly British1. informal foolish or stupid2. offensive a slang word for insane3. informal (postpositive; foll by about)extremely fond (of)4. slang frivolous; giddy |
dangly | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “dangly,” and only one of those two labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | hanging or swinging loosely | in British Englishdangling; hanging down |
decommit | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “decommit,” and only one of those labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | 1 to withdraw from or retract an obligation, commitment, or pledge1.1 US English (of an athlete) to withdraw one's pledge to attend and play a sport for a particular college or university | in British Englishpast participle of verb, past tense of verb decommit in British Englishto withdraw from a commitment or agreed course of action |
decommitted | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only two have entries for “decommitted,” and only one of those labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | 1 to withdraw from or retract an obligation, commitment, or pledge1.1 US English (of an athlete) to withdraw one's pledge to attend and play a sport for a particular college or university | in British Englishpast participle of verb, past tense of verb decommit in British Englishto withdraw from a commitment or agreed course of action |
delayable | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “delayable,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “delayable” in US English | in British Englishable to be delayed |
dodgy | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "dodgy” as British. | 1 chiefly British : evasive, tricky2 chiefly Britisha : not sound, good, or reliableb : questionable, suspicious3 chiefly British : requiring skill or care in handling or coping with | 1: full of dodges : evasive, tricky2 chiefly British : not sound, stable, or reliable : questionable3 chiefly British : requiring skill or care in handling or coping with; also : chancy, risky | informalBritish English1 dishonest or unreliable1.1 potentially dangerous1.2 of low quality | 1. If you describe someone or something as dodgy, you disapprove of them because they seem rather dishonest and unreliable.[British, informal, disapproval]2. If you say that something is dodgy, you mean that it seems rather risky, dangerous, or unreliable.[British, informal]3. If you say that someone has a dodgy heart or knee, for example, you mean that that part of their body is not very strong or healthy.[British, informal] in American Englishinformal, chiefly British1. tricky or evasive2. risky or uncertain in American English1. inclined to dodge2. evasively tricky3. chiefly Britrisky; hazardous; chancy in British EnglishBritish, Australian and New Zealand informal1. risky, difficult, or dangerous2. uncertain or unreliable; tricky |
electee | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “electee,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “electee” in US English | in British Englisha person who is elected |
expat | Two of the four dictionaries cited here label “expat” as British. | chiefly British: an expatriate person : expatriate | noun: expatriateexpat adjective | informala person who lives outside their native countrydenoting or relating to a person living outside their native country | An expat is someone who is living in a country which is not their own.[British, informal] in American Englishinformal, chiefly British short for expatriate in American Englishinformalan expatriate in British Englishinformal short for expatriate |
fiddly | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "fiddly” as British. | chiefly British: requiring close attention to detail : fussyespecially : requiring an annoying amount of close attention | chiefly British: requiring close attention to detail : fussyespecially : requiring an annoying amount of close attention | informalBritish Englishcomplicated or detailed and awkward to do or use | Something that is fiddly is difficult to do or use because it involves small or complicated objects.[British] in American Englishchiefly Britishof or characterized by small, typically fussy or annoying, details in British Englishsmall and awkward to do or handle |
fillable | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “fillable,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “fillable” in US English | in British Englishable to be filled |
flatmate | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "flatmate” as British. | chiefly British: one of two or more persons sharing the same flat | chiefly British: one of two or more persons sharing the same flat : roommate | British Englisha person who shares a flat (apartment) with others | Someone's flatmate is a person who shares a flat with them.[British]regional note: in AM, use roommate in American Englishchiefly Britisha person who shares a flat2 with another or others in British EnglishBritisha person with whom one shares a flat |
gawp | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "gawp” as British. | chiefly British:to gawk | or less commonly gaupchiefly British: gawk noun dialectal: a stupid awkward person : simpleton | informal British Englishto stare openly in a stupid or rude manner | To gawp at someone or something means to stare at them in a rude, stupid, or unthinking way.[British, informal] in American Englishslangto stare open-mouthed; gawk or gape in American Englishchiefly Northern U.S.to stare with the mouth open in wonder or astonishment; gape in British EnglishBritish slangto stare stupidly; gape |
gawping | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "gawping” as British. | chiefly British:to gawk | or less commonly gaupchiefly British: gawk | informal British Englishto stare openly in a stupid or rude manner | To gawp at someone or something means to stare at them in a rude, stupid, or unthinking way.[British, informal] in American Englishslangto stare open-mouthed; gawk or gape in American Englishchiefly Northern U.S.to stare with the mouth open in wonder or astonishment; gape in British EnglishBritish slangto stare stupidly; gape |
hart | Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “hart” as British. | chiefly British : the male of the red deer especially when over five years old : stag | chiefly British: the male of the red deer especially when over five years old : stag | an adult male deer, especially a red deer over five years old. | in American Englisha male of the European red deer, esp. after its fifth year, when the crown antlers are formed; stag in American Englisha male deer, commonly of the red deer, Cervus elaphus, esp. after its fifth year in British Englishthe male of the deer, esp the red deer aged five years or more |
hobnobby* | Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “hobnobby,” and it is labeled as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “hobnobby” in US English | in British Englishinformaltending to hobnob or characterized by hobnobbing |
hullo* | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "hullo” as British. | chiefly British spelling of hello | chiefly British spelling of hello | (mainly British English hullo)exclamation1 used as a greeting or to begin a phone conversation 1.1 British English used to express surprise 1.2 used as a cry to attract someone's attention 1.3 expressing sarcasm or anger an utterance of “hello”; a greeting say or shout “hello”; greet someone | in American Englishinterjection, noun, verb intransitive, verb transitiveinformal var. of hello in American English1. var. of hallo2. chiefly Brit var. of hello in British Englisha variant of hello |
inbuilt | Two of the four dictionaries cited here label “inbuilt” as British. | chiefly British: built-in | adjective : built-in | existing as an original or essential part of something or someone | An inbuilt quality is one that someone has from the time they were born or that something has from the time it was produced.[mainly British]regional note: in AM, usually use built-in in American Englishchiefly British built-in in American Englishbuilt-in |
journo | Three of the four dictionaries cited here label “journo” as British. | chiefly British: journalist | chiefly British: journalist | informala journalist | in American Englishslang term for journalist in British Englishan informal word for journalist in British English1. a person whose occupation is journalism2. a person who keeps a journal |
leant | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "leant” as British. | chiefly British past tense of lean | chiefly British past tense of lean | past and past participle mainly British English leant | Leant is one of the forms of the past tense and past participle of lean.[British] in American Englishchiefly British pt. & pp. of lean in American Englishchiefly Brit a pp. and pt. of lean in British Englisha past tense and past participle of lean |
lorry | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "lorry” as British. | chiefly Britisha motortruck | 1a: a large low horse-drawn wagon without sides and with a platform that slightly overhangs the four small heavy wheelsb British : motortruck especially : one with low or open sides and sometimes a canvas cover2: any of various trucks running on rails: such asa British : a light easily movable flatcar for the use of workmen on railroadsb: larry | British Englisha large, heavy motor vehicle for transporting goods or troops; a truck | A lorry is a large vehicle that is used to transport goods by road.[British] in American English1. a low, flat wagon without sides2. any of various trucks fitted to run on rails3. British a motor truck in American English1. chiefly Brit a motor truck, esp. a large one2. any of various conveyances running on rails, as for transporting material in a mine or factory3. a long, low, horse-drawn wagon without sides in British English1. a large motor vehicle designed to carry heavy loads, esp one with a flat platform. US and Canadian name: truck. See also articulated vehicle2. See off the back of a lorry3. any of various vehicles with a flat load-carrying surface, esp one designed to run on rails |
lovey | Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “lovey” as a standalone word, and both label it as British. | We have one entry that includes the term lovey. lovey-doveyadjective: expressing much love or sentimentality | 2 entries found containing "lovey" in the Unabridged Dictionary 1 lovey-dovey (noun)2 lovey-dovey (adjective) | informalBritish Englishused as an affectionate form of address informalBritish Englishshort for lovey-dovey | in American Englishchiefly Brit informalsweetheart; dear: used as a term of endearment in British EnglishBritish informalanother word for love |
mack* | Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “mack” as short for “macintosh” (the garment) and each of the three labels it as British. | variant spelling of macBritish: mackintosh | interjection, obsolete—used as a mild oath slang: pimp variant spelling of 2mac(2) macor mack1 British : mackintosh2: mackinaw | informalNorth American Englisha confident, successful man who has many sexual partners. | in American Englishinformal mackintosh (sense 1) in American Englishslang See pimp in American Englishinformal see mac2 in British EnglishBritish informalshort for mackintosh (sense 1), mackintosh (sense 3) in British Englishslanga pimp |
matey | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "matey” as British. | chiefly British: companionable | 1 chiefly British : mate2 British : a dockyard workman adjective chiefly British: cozily familiar and informal in personal relationship : friendly and companionable in an easygoing way : chummy | informalBritish Englishused as a familiar and sometimes hostile form of address, especially to a stranger | 1. If someone is matey, they behave in a very friendly way, usually without sincerity.[British, informal]2. You can address someone as matey when you are being friendly towards them. People sometimes also use matey when they are annoyed with someone.[British, informal, feelings] in American EnglishBritish, informal1. friendly; companionable2. a chum; buddy; pal in American Englishchiefly Brit informalcomrade; chum; buddy in American Englishchiefly Brit informalsociable; friendly in British Englishor matyBritish informal 1. friendly or intimate; on good terms2. friend or fellow: usually used in direct address |
midmonth | Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “midmonth,” and it is labeled as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “midmonth” in US English | in British Englishthe middle of the month |
minicab | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "minicab” as British. | a small car used as a taxicabspecifically, British : one that can be engaged by phone but is not licensed to cruise for customers | a small car used as a taxicab specifically, British : one that can be engaged by phone but is not licensed to cruise for customers | British Englisha car that is used as a taxi but that must be ordered in advance because it is not licensed to pick up passengers who hail it in the street. | A minicab is a taxi which you have to arrange to pick you up by phone.[British] in American Englishchiefly Brita minicar that serves as a taxicab in British EnglishBritisha small saloon car used as a taxi |
mononym | Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “mononym,” and only one of the two labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | a person's name consisting of one word, typically a first name without a surname | in American Englisha single name by which a celebrity, author, etc. is primarily known, typically consisting of the person’s given name or surname in British Englisha person who is famous enough to be known only by one name, usually the first name |
moor | Each of the four dictionaries cited here gives the first definition of “moor” as a tract of open, uncultivated land, and each labels this as British. | 1 chiefly British : an expanse of open rolling infertile land2: a boggy area, especially : one that is peaty and dominated by grasses and sedges to make fast with or as if with cables, lines, or anchors : anchorintransitive verb1: to secure a boat by mooring : anchor2: to be made fast | 1a chiefly British : an extensive area of open rolling infertile land consisting of sand, rock, or peat usually covered with heather, bracken, coarse grass, and sphagnum moss : high moorb: a boggy area of wasteland usually dominated by grasses and sedges growing in a thick layer of peat : fen 2 Britisha: moorland soil : peatb: moorland vegetation (as heather)c: a game preserve consisting of moorland 1: to make fast with cables and lines or with more than one anchor2: to attach firmly : tie on 1: to secure a boat by mooring2: to be made fast : the act or process of mooring | mainly British English1 a tract of open uncultivated upland; a heath1.1 a tract of open land preserved for shooting1.2 US English or dialect a fen. 1 make fast (a boat) by attaching it by cable or rope to the shore or to an anchor1.1 (of a boat) be made fast by mooring | 1. A moor is an area of open and usually high land with poor soil that is covered mainly with grass and heather.[mainly British] 2. If you moor, or moor a boat somewhere, you stop and tie it to the land with a rope or chain so that it cannot move away. in American English1. (often pl.) a tract of open, rolling wasteland, usually covered with heather and often marshy or peaty; heath2. a tract of land with game preserves in American English1. to hold (a ship, etc.) in place by cables or chains attached as to a pier or special buoy ( mooring buoy), or by two anchors2. to cause to be held in place; secure3. to moor a ship, etc.4. to be secured as by cables in American English1. a tract of open, peaty, wasteland, often overgrown with heath, common in high latitudes and altitudes where drainage is poor; heath2. a tract of land preserved for game in American English1. to secure (a ship, boat, dirigible, etc.) in a particular place, as by cables and anchors or by lines2. to fix firmly; secure3. to moor a ship, small boat, etc4. to be made secure by cables or the like5. the act of mooring in British Englisha tract of unenclosed ground, usually having peaty soil covered with heather, coarse grass, bracken, and moss in British English1. to secure (a ship, boat, etc) with cables or ropes2. (of a ship, boat, etc) to be secured in this way3. (not in technical usage) a less common word for anchor |
MOTORWAY | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels "motorway” as British. | chiefly British: superhighway | British: a motor highway especially : superhighway | 1 British English an expressway.1.1 informal Skiing a wide, fast, easy ski run. | A motorway is a major road that has been specially built for fast travel over long distances. Motorways have several lanes and special places where traffic gets on and leaves.[British]regional note: in AM, usually use freeway in American Englishchiefly British freeway in American EnglishBritan expressway in British EnglishBritisha main road for fast-moving traffic, having limited access, separate carriageways for vehicles travelling in opposite directions, and usually a total of four or six lanes.US names: superhighway or (also Canadian) expressway |
BEE WORD | COMMENT | M-W ABRIDGED | M-W UNABRIDGED | NOAD | COLLINS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
nametape | Each of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “nametape,” but only one of the three labels it as “British.” | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound name tape] firmly woven cotton tape with the name of a person interwoven or printed in linear series to be divided into single name-bearing segments for attachment to items (as garments) likely to require identification; also : one name-bearing section of such tape | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound name tape] firmly woven cotton tape with the name of a person interwoven or printed in linear series to be divided into single name-bearing segments for attachment to items (as garments) likely to require identification also : one name-bearing section of such tape | a piece of cloth tape bearing the name of a person, fixed to a garment of theirs to identify it. | in British English a narrow cloth tape bearing the owner's name and attached to an article |
netty | Two of the four dictionaries cited here define “netty” to mean “netlike;” the other two define it to mean an earth closet, and each of those two labels that definition as British. | netlike | netlike | Northern Englanda toilet, especially an earth closet | in British EnglishNortheast England dialecta lavatory, originally an earth closet |
nonillionth* | Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “nonillionth,” and it is labeled as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “nonillionth” in US English | in British English1. of or relating to the ordinal number matching the cardinal number nonillionnoun2. one of nonillion equal parts of something in British English1. (in Britain, France, and Germany) the number represented as one followed by 54 zeros (1054)2. (in the US and Canada) the number represented as one followed by 30 zeros (1030). Brit word: quintillion |
nuancing | Three of the four dictionaries cited here define “nuance” as a verb, but only one of the three labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. [no entry for nuance as a verb] | nuance verbnuanced; nuancing; nuances: to give nuances to : to express or perform with nicety or precision : to depict in delicate gradations (as of colors or tones) | verb [with object]give nuances to | in British Englishnoun1. a subtle difference in colour, meaning, tone, etc; a shade or graduation verb (tr; passive)2. to give subtle differences to |
oaty | Two of the four dictionaries cited here define “oaty” as an adjective, but only one of the two labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | oatyadjective | in British Englishof, like, or containing oats |
odeon | Three of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “odeon,” but only one labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | odeumor less commonly odeon plural odeums also odeons or odea1: a relatively small typically circular roofed theater of ancient Greece and Rome used chiefly for competitions in music and poetry that were attended by the public2: a contemporary theater or concert hall | 1 (Odeon) mainly British English a cinema. [[capitalized?]]from the name of a chain built in Britain during the 1930s2 (odeon) (especially in ancient Greece or Rome) a building used for musical performances. Also called odeum | in British Englishanother name for odeum odeumin British English(esp in ancient Greece and Rome) a building for musical performances.Also called: odeon |
omigod | Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include an entry for “omigod,” and only one of the two labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | exclamationinformalused to express shock, excitement, disbelief, etc. | in British Englishexclamationinformalan exclamation of surprise, pleasure, dismay, etc. |
outgone | Each of the four dictionaries cited here includes “outgo” as a verb. Two of the four include “outgone” as a past participle of “outgo,” but only one labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. [M-W does include outgo as a verb, but has ‘outwent’ as the past participle:outgooutwent; outgoing; outgoes : to go beyond : outdo ] | outgoverb : to go out1 archaic : to surpass in swiftness : outstrip2: to go beyond : outdo [no verb forms listed] | outgoverb (outgoes, outgoing, past; outwent, past participle; outgone) [with object] archaicgo faster than | in British Englishpast participle of verb outgo in British EnglishverbWord forms: -goes, -going, -went, -goneto exceed or outstrip |
pinny | Three of the four dictionaries cited here labels “pinny” as British. | chiefly British: pinafore | pinnynoun : pinafore adjective1: containing hard specks —used especially of metal2: pinned —used of a file3: matted together —used of wool | informalBritish Englisha pinafore | A pinny is an apron.[British, informal] in American EnglishBritish, informala pinafore [usually a child's term] in British Englisha child's or informal name for pinafore |
prat | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “prat” as British. | British: a stupid or foolish person | chiefly Scottish: a trick especially : one that is low or mean 1 sometimes vulgar : buttocks2 British, informal : a stupid or foolish person verbpratted; pratted; pratting; pratssometimes vulgar : to nudge or push (as a person) with the buttocks | 1 derogatory, informal British English an incompetent or stupid person; an idiot.2 informal a person's buttocks. | If you describe someone as a prat, you are saying in an unkind way that you think that they are very stupid or foolish.[British, informal, disapproval] in American Englishslangthe buttocks in American Englishslangthe buttocks in British Englishslangan incompetent or ineffectual person: often used as a term of abuse |
quieten* | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “quieten” as British. | chiefly British: to quiet | quietened; quietened; quietening chiefly British: to quiet | mainly British Englishto make or become quiet and calm | [British]quiet [sense 7], quiet [sense 8] in American EnglishBritishto make or become quiet in American Englishchiefly Brit1. (often fol. by down) to become quiet2. to make quiet in British Englishmainly British1. (often foll by down) to make or become calm, silent, etc; pacify or become peaceful2. to allay (fear, doubts, etc) |
rollbar | Three of the four dictionaries cited here present the word as an open compound (“roll bar”). The fourth presents it as a closed compound (“rollbar”) and labels it as British. | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound roll bar] an overhead metal bar on an automobile that is designed to protect the occupant in case of a rollover | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound roll bar] : an overhead metal bar on an automobile designed to protect an occupant in case of a rollover | [NOAD‘s only entry is the open compound roll bar] a metal bar running up the sides and across the top of a vehicle, especially one used in motor sports, strengthening its frame and protecting the occupants should the vehicle overturn. | in British Englisha bar that reinforces the frame of a car, esp one used for racing, rallying, etc, to protect the driver if the car should turn over |
romcom | Two of the dictionaries cited here have entries for the closed compound, unhyphenated “romcom;” one labels it as British. | [M-W’s only entry is hyphenated rom-com] : romantic comedy | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | informal(in movies or television) a romantic comedy | in British Englishinformala film or television comedy based around the romantic relationships of the characters |
rotolo* | Only one of the four dictionaries cited here includes an entry for “rotolo,” and it is labeled as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “rotolo” in US English | in British English1. (in Italian cuisine) a roll2. a unit of weight used in Middle Eastern countries |
tailfin* | Three of the dictionaries cited here present “tailfin” as an open compound “tail fin.” The fourth presents it as a closed compound and labels it as British. | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound tail fin] 1: the terminal fin of a fish or cetacean2: fin sense 2b | [M-W’s only entry is the open compound tail fin] 1: the unpaired terminal fin of a fish or cetacean : caudal fin2: fin 2c(3) | [NOAD ‘s only entry is the open compound tail fin] Zoology1 a fin at the posterior extremity of a fish's body, typically continuous with the tail. Also called caudal fin1.1 Aeronautics a projecting vertical surface on the tail of an aircraft, providing stability and typically housing the rudder.1.2 an upswept projection on each rear corner of an automobile, popular in the 1950s. | in British English1. the fin situated at the tail of a fish2. a vertical fin situated at the rear of an aircraft to give lateral stability3. a protruding decorative projection on the rear of a car |
talcum | Only one of the dictionaries cited here labels “talcum” as British. | : talc | : talc | (also talcum powder)a cosmetic or toilet preparation consisting of the mineral talc in powdered form, typically perfumed. verb (talcums, talcuming, talcumed)to powder (something) with talcum powder: (talcumed as adjective) | in British Englishanother name for talc talcin British Englishalso: talcum1. See talcum powder2. a white, grey, brown, or pale green mineral, found in metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of talcum powder and electrical insulators. 3. to apply talc to |
teabag | Three of the four dictionaries cited here present the word as an open compound (“tea bag”). The fourth has an entry for the closed compound “teabag” and labels it as British. | [M-W’s primary entry is the open compound tea bag] variants or less commonly teabag : a bag usually of filter paper holding enough tea for an individual serving verbteabagvariants or less commonly tea bag or tea-bagteabagged also tea bagged or tea-bagged; teabagging also tea bagging or tea-bagging; teabags also tea bags or tea-bagsteabagging noun or less commonly tea bagging or tea-bagging[the sexual act] | tea bag: a cloth or filter paper bag holding a measured amount of tea for making an individual serving of tea | a small porous bag containing tea leaves or powdered tea, onto which boiling water is poured in order to make a drink of tea. | in British Englisha small bag of paper or cloth containing tea leaves, infused in boiling water to make tea |
tock | Two of the four dictionaries cited define “tock” as a species of hornbill; the third has no entry; the fourth defines it as the sound of a clock and labels it as “British.” | an African hornbill of the genus Tockus | an African hornbill of the genus Tockus | [no entry; a search on “tock” leads to entry for “tick-tock”] | in British Englishnoun1. the sound made by a clockverb (intransitive)2. to make the sound characteristic of a clock |
tranq | Only two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for ”tranq;” one of them labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | trank(US English also tranq)informalanother term for tranquilizertranked(US English also tranqed) adjective | in British Englishslang1. a shortened form of tranquillizer (sense 1)2. the street name of the sedative drug xylazineverbWord forms: tranqs, tranqing or tranquing, tranqed or tranqued3. (transitive) to sedate (an animal), esp by shooting it with a tranquillizer dart |
trilby | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “trilby” as British. | chiefly British: a soft felt hat with indented crown | 1: foot —usually used in plural2 or less commonly trilby hat: chiefly British : a soft felt hat with indented crown | mainly British Englisha soft felt hat with a narrow brim and indented crown. trilbied adjective | A trilby or a trilby hat is a hat which is made of felt and has a groove along the top from front to back.[British] in American Englishchiefly Britisha soft felt hat with a narrow brim and the crown deeply dented front to back in American Englishchiefly Brita hat of soft felt with an indented crownAlso called: trilby hat in British English1. mainly Britisha man's soft felt hat with an indented crown2. (plural) old-fashioned, slangfeet |
tubeful | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “tubeful,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “tubeful” in US English | in British Englishthe quantity (of something) that a tube can hold |
twee | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “twee” as British. | chiefly British: affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint | : a thin or shrill piping note (as of a horn or small bird) chiefly British: affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint | British Englishexcessively or affectedly quaint, pretty, or sentimental | If you say that something is twee, it is pretty or sentimental in a way that you think is excessive or silly.[British, disapproval] in American EnglishBritishaffectedly clever, dainty, sweet, etc. in American Englishchiefly Britaffectedly dainty or quaint in British EnglishBritishexcessively sentimental, sweet, or pretty |
unceded | Two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “unceded,” but only one of them labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | (of land or territory belonging to Indigenous peoples) not ceded or given up to a colonizing group or government | in British Englishnot ceded or handed over; unyielded |
unjam | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unjam,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “unjam” in US English | in British Englishto remove a blockage from (a machine, printer, shredder, etc.) |
unjamming | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unjamming,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “unjamming” in US English | in British Englishto remove a blockage from (a machine, printer, shredder, etc.) |
unlet | Each of the four dictionaries cited here has an entry for “unlet,” but only one labels it as British. | : not rented | : not rented | not let or rented out. | in British English(of a property, room, etc.) not rented |
unmount | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “unmount,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “unmount” in US English | in British English1. to dismount2. to unfix from a backing or support; remove |
unwedded | Two of the four dictionaries cited here include entries for “unwedded,” and one of them labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | or unwedded: not married | unwed(also unwedded)not married | in British Englishanother name for unwed in British Englishor unweddedold-fashioned another word for unmarried |
uplit | Of the four dictionaries cited here, only one has an entry for “uplit,” and labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | No exact match found for “uplit” in US English | uplightin American Englishnouna lamp, often a light bulb set in a cylinder or other container, placed on the floor so that a beam of light is directed upward uplightin British Englishverb1. to light in an upward directionWord forms: -lights, -lighting, -lighted or -lit noun2. another word for uplighter |
vegged | Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “vegged,” and one of the three labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | 1 entry found containing "vegged" in the Unabridged Dictionary veg outvegged out; vegged out; vegging out; vegges out or veges out: to spend time idly or passively | vegverb (vegges, vegging, veging, vegged)informalrelax to the point of complete inertia | veg outin British EnglishverbWord forms: vegges, vegging, veggedslangto relax in an inert passive way; vegetate |
vegging | Three of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “vegged,” and one of the three labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | 1 entry found containing "vegging" in the Unabridged Dictionary veg outvegged out; vegged out; vegging out; vegges out or veges out: to spend time idly or passively | vegverb (vegges, vegging, veging, vegged)informalrelax to the point of complete inertia | veg outin British EnglishverbWord forms: vegges, vegging, veggedslangto relax in an inert passive way; vegetate |
videoed | Two of the four dictionaries cited here have entries for “videoed,” and one labels it as British. | The word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. | The word you've entered isn't in the Unabridged Dictionary. | video verb (videos, videoing, videoed)to record on videotape | videoWord forms: videos, videoing, videoed…4. transitive verbIf you video a television program or event, you record it digitally or (in the past) on tape, so that you can watch it later.[mainly British]regional note: in AM, usually use tape in American EnglishverbWord forms: videoed, videoing9. to record by means of videotape, a video camera, etc. in British EnglishverbWord forms: videos, videoing, videoed8. to record (a television programme, event, etc) as a video |
whinge | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whinge” as British. | whingeverbwhinged; whinging or whingeingBritish: to complain fretfully : whine whinge noun British | whingewhinged; whinged; whingeing also whinging; whingesdialectal, British: whine, whimper | British Englishverb (whinges, whingeing, or whinging, whinged)to complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating waynounan act of complaining | Word forms: whinges, whingeing or whinging, whingedverbIf you say that someone is whingeing, you mean that they are complaining in an annoying way about something unimportant.[British, informal, disapproval]Whinge is also a noun. in American EnglishBritish, informalverb Word forms: whinged, whingeing1. to whine2. to complainnoun3. a whine or complaint in American EnglishverbWord forms: whinged, whingingBrit & Austral informalto complain; whine in British EnglishinformalverbWord forms: whinges, whingeing, whinged (intransitive)1. to cry in a fretful way2. to complainnoun3. a complaintDerived formswhingeing (whingeing) noun, adjectivewhinger (whinger) noun |
whingeing | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whingeing” as British. | whingeverbwhinged; whinging or whingeingBritish: to complain fretfully : whine whinge noun British | whingewhinged; whinged; whingeing also whinging; whingesdialectal, British: whine, whimper | British Englishverb (whinges, whingeing, or whinging, whinged)to complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating waynounan act of complaining | Word forms: whinges, whingeing or whinging, whingedverbIf you say that someone is whingeing, you mean that they are complaining in an annoying way about something unimportant.[British, informal, disapproval]Whinge is also a noun. in American EnglishBritish, informalverb Word forms: whinged, whingeing1. to whine2. to complainnoun3. a whine or complaint in American EnglishverbWord forms: whinged, whingingBrit & Austral informalto complain; whine in British EnglishinformalverbWord forms: whinges, whingeing, whinged (intransitive)1. to cry in a fretful way2. to complainnoun3. a complaintDerived formswhingeing (whingeing) noun, adjectivewhinger (whinger) noun |
whinging | Each of the four dictionaries cited here labels “whinging” as British. | whingeverbwhinged; whinging or whingeingBritish: to complain fretfully : whine whinge noun British | whingewhinged; whinged; whingeing also whinging; whingesdialectal, British: whine, whimper | British Englishverb (whinges, whingeing, or whinging, whinged)to complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating waynounan act of complaining | Word forms: whinges, whingeing or whinging, whingedverbIf you say that someone is whingeing, you mean that they are complaining in an annoying way about something unimportant.[British, informal, disapproval]Whinge is also a noun. in American EnglishBritish, informalverb Word forms: whinged, whingeing1. to whine2. to complainnoun3. a whine or complaint in American EnglishverbWord forms: whinged, whingingBrit & Austral informalto complain; whine in British EnglishinformalverbWord forms: whinges, whingeing, whinged (intransitive)1. to cry in a fretful way2. to complainnoun3. a complaintDerived formswhingeing (whingeing) noun, adjectivewhinger (whinger) noun |
woohoo | Only one of the four dictionaries cited here presents “woohoo” as unhyphenated, and that entry is marked as British. | [M-W’s only entry is hyphenated woo-hoo] woo-hoointerjectionvariants or whoo-hoo—used to express exuberant delight or approval | [M-W’s only entry is hyphenated woo-hoo] woo–hoointerjection or whoo–hoo—used to express exuberant delight or approval | [NOAD’s only entry is hyphenated woo-hoo] woo-hooexclamationused to express joy or approvalnounan utterance of the word “woo-hoo” | in British Englishexclamationinformalan exclamation of joy, approval, etc. |