This page gathers the 5,691 dictionary entries of which at least one sense is labelled “Figuratively” by Wiktionary. The definition shown is that sense; each word leads to its full entry. Page 16 of 57: from “dust off” to “enter”.
- dust off verb To use something after a long time without it.
- dusty adj Old; outdated; stuffily traditional.
- dwindle verb To fall away in quality; degenerate, sink.
- dyed-in-the-wool adj Firmly established in one's beliefs or habits; having a specified characteristic, identity, etc. deeply ingrained in one's nature.
- dying gasp noun The last moments, or final period, of something that becomes obsolete or inactive.
- dyke noun Any impediment, barrier, or difficulty.
- dynamite verb To dismantle or destroy.
- dynamo noun An energetic person.
- dyscrasy noun Disharmony
- dyspepsia noun Irritation or disgruntlement.
- dyspeptic adj Irritable or morose.
- eager adj Sharp; keen; bitter; severe.
- eagle eye noun A keen eye for detail.
- early bloomer noun A person who achieves proficiency or success in a field early in life.
- earmark noun A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership.
- earn one's keep verb To be worthwhile.
- earthbound adj Unimaginative or mundane.
- earthly paradise noun A place on Earth that is a perfect combination of beauty and happiness.
- earthmoving adj Of great significance.
- earthquake noun A sudden and intense upheaval; a severely disruptive event.
- earthworm noun A contemptible person; a groveller.
- earthy adj Down-to-earth, not artificial, natural.
- easter noun Usually preceded by an inflection of make: the act of receiving the Eucharist during Easter.
- eat verb To destroy, consume, or use up.
- eat and run verb To consume a meal/snack quickly, then soon after depart immediately and/or in a hurry.
- eat away verb To destroy (something) gradually by an ongoing process.
- eat lead verb To be shot; to be hit with bullets.
- eat up verb To cause (someone) to obsess; to figuratively consume (someone).
- ebb and flow noun A large flowing out and in, or any waxing and waning of fortunes or activity.
- ebullience noun The quality of enthusiastic or lively expression of feelings and thoughts.
- eccentric adj Of a person, deviating from the norm; behaving unexpectedly or differently; unconventional and slightly strange.
- echo verb Of a rumour, opinion, etc.: to spread or reverberate.
- echo chamber noun An environment in which a person is exposed to only those beliefs and opinions that agree with their own, so that their existing views are…
- eclipse verb To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.
- edge noun The thin cutting side of the blade of an instrument, such as an ax, knife, sword, or scythe; that which cuts as an edge does, or wounds…
- edgeless adj Lacking edginess; bland and unchallenging.
- edgy adj On the edge between acceptable and offensive; pushing the boundaries of good taste; risqué.
- effervesce verb To show high spirits.
- effervescent adj Vivacious and enthusiastic.
- effloresce verb Of something hidden: to come forth, to emerge; also, to reach full glory or power.
- efflorescence noun Rapid flowering of a culture or civilisation etc.
- effuse verb To gush; to be excitedly talkative and enthusiastic about something.
- effusion noun An outpouring of speech or emotion.
- egg noun A person; a fellow.
- eggnant adj Having a silicone egg inside one's body for sexual pleasure.
- eighth wonder of the world noun Something, especially a structure, building, natural formation or (sometimes) an individual, animal, or other entity that is considered to…
- elbow room noun Freedom or leeway.
- electric adj Emotionally thrilling; electrifying.
- electrically adv In an electric manner.
- elephant noun Anything huge and ponderous.
- elephant trap noun A trap which can easily be avoided by a competent person, and thus proves the incompetence of anybody trapped by it.
- elephantlike adj (Of memory) which is very good
- Elizabethan collar noun A protective medical device worn by an animal, usually a cat or a dog, shaped like a truncated cone, to prevent the animal from biting or…
- elucidate verb To make (something) clear and understandable; to clarify, to illuminate, to shed light on.
- emancipate verb Often followed by from: to free (oneself or someone, or something) from some constraint or controlling influence (especially when evil or…
- embalm verb To preserve.
- embattled adj Subject to or troubled by attacks, controversy, or pressure.
- embitter verb To cause (a positive quality such as happiness, or a thing such as an activity or one's life) to become less good or pleasurable; also, to…
- emblematic adj Very typical.
- emboss verb To cause (something) to be prominent or stand out.
- embrace verb To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.
- embracement noun The state of embracing, inclusion.
- embrasure noun Any small protected space.
- embroider verb To add imaginary detail to a narrative to make it more interesting or acceptable.
- embroidery noun The elaboration of an account, etc. with details, especially when fictitious.
- embrown verb To make (something) brown; to brown.
- embryo noun The beginning; the first stage of anything.
- embryonic adj Of a project, etc: very new and still evolving; yet to reach its full potential.
- emollient noun Anything soothing the mind, or that makes something more acceptable.
- emporium noun A city or region which is a major trading centre; also, a place within a city for commerce and trading; a marketplace.
- empty space noun A feeling of longing for someone or something that is gone; a sense of a thing's absence.
- empty-headed adj Silly and lacking sense or discretion; featherbrained or scatterbrained.
- encampment noun A place where people or things stay temporarily.
- enchase verb To be a setting for.
- encysted adj Embedded, enclosed.
- end run noun An attempt to circumvent a difficult problem by not confronting it directly.
- endgame noun The final stage of an extended process or course of events, especially with the implication of the imminent realization of a masterful…
- endue verb Of a person or thing: to take on (a different form); to adopt, to assume.
- enemy line noun The boundary of the territory controlled by the enemy.
- energy vampire noun A device or appliance that uses electricity even while switched off.
- enfeoff verb To give up completely; to surrender, to yield.
- enfetter verb To join, bind, unite
- enfilade verb To be directed toward (something) like enfilading gunfire.
- engine room noun The midfield.
- engineer noun A soldier engaged in designing or constructing military works for attack or defence, or other engineering works.
- english noun An unusual or unexpected interpretation of a text or idea, a spin, a nuance.
- English rose noun An Englishwoman of fine and delicate beauty, akin to that of a rose.
- Enigma machine noun Something which decrypts or makes understandable something enigmatic.
- enisle verb To isolate.
- enlace verb To entangle.
- enlargedly adv With greater extent or scope.
- enlargement noun A making more obvious or serious; exacerbation.
- enlighten verb To make something clear to (someone); to give knowledge or understanding to.
- enrank verb To classify (someone in a particular group); to enroll, register.
- enshrine verb To protect (an idea, ideal, or philosophy) within an official law or treaty.
- ensnare verb To entangle; to enmesh.
- ensorcell verb To captivate, entrance, or fascinate.
- entangle verb To ensnare.
- entangled adj Confused or complicated.
- enter verb To go or come into (a state or profession).