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 2 of 57: from “also-ran” to “asunder”.
- also-ran noun A loser; a person or thing soon to be forgotten.
- altar noun Any (real or notional) place where something is worshipped or sacrificed to.
- aluminum shower noun The result of a midair collision of two aircraft.
- amain verb To decrease or reduce (something).
- Amazonian adj Of a woman, very tall, strong and athletic.
- ambushed adj Having been subjected to a shock for which one is unprepared.
- amidships adv On the flank, at a vulnerable place.
- ammunition noun Arguments and information that can be used against the other party in a conflict.
- amnesia noun Forgetfulness.
- anandrous adj Without a man or a husband.
- anatomize verb To scrutinize (something) down to the most minute detail.
- ancestor noun One who had the same role or function in former times.
- anchor noun That which gives stability or security.
- anchor point noun Something that provides stability or a connection.
- anchorage noun Something on which one may depend for security; ground of trust.
- anchorhold noun Firm hold; security.
- andabatarian adj Characterized by flailing, random, misdirected effort.
- anesthetized adj Made to be unfeeling, alienated and emotionless.
- angel noun Someone who is pure or innocent.
- angel's ladder noun A way to be worthy of heaven; virtue or virtuous living.
- angels dancing on the head of a pin noun The subject of arcane intellectual speculation—used as an example of a subject of enquiry in which the pursuit is of no value.
- angle verb To attempt to subtly persuade someone to offer a desired thing.
- angry adj Dark and stormy, menacing.
- angular adj Sharp and stiff in character.
- anhedonic adj Showing anhedonia; having no capacity to feel pleasure.
- anhelation noun Mental or spiritual agitation.
- animal noun A person who behaves wildly; a bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, or inhuman person.
- ankylosed adj Stiff, cramped, rigid.
- ankylosis noun An onset of stiffness or inflexibility.
- anneal verb To strengthen or harden.
- annet noun A silly fellow; gull.
- anodyne adj Soothing or relaxing.
- anoint verb To choose or nominate somebody for a leading or otherwise important position, especially formally or officially, or as an intended…
- anointment noun An official nomination.
- anonymous adj Lacking individuality.
- Antarctic adj Opposite, contradictory.
- antediluvian noun A very old person.
- antenna noun The faculty of intuitive astuteness.
- antiattrition noun Something or someone that smooths the way or makes things easier.
- antiautistic adj Aware of, interested in, or engaging with other people or the world.
- antidote noun Something that counteracts or prevents something harmful.
- antipodes noun The opposite of something.
- antique noun An old person.
- anvil verb To fashion on, or as if on, an anvil.
- aorta noun The liveliest part of something.
- apex noun The moment of greatest success, expansion, etc.
- aphelion noun The point in the elliptical orbit of a comet, planet, or other astronomical object, where it is farthest from the Sun.
- apocalyptic adj Catastrophic; disastrous.
- apogee noun The highest point.
- apogeic adj Climactic.
- apoplectic adj Marked by extreme anger or fury.
- apparel noun Aspect, guise, form.
- appeal noun A resort to some physical means; a recourse.
- apple pie noun Anything positive that is quintessentially American.
- apprehend verb To seize or take (something); to take hold of.
- approach noun An act of drawing near in place or time; an advancing or coming near.
- apricate verb To disinfect and freshen by exposing to the sun; to sun.
- April showers bring May flowers proverb A period of discomfort or hardship can provide the basis for a period of happiness and joy.
- archipelago noun A thing comprising many other scattered things.
- architectonic adj Foundational, fundamental; supporting the structure of a morality, society, or culture.
- archive noun A collection, a repository.
- argument noun A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.
- arid adj Devoid of value.
- arietation noun The act of striking, attacking or conflicting.
- ark noun The body as a vessel.
- arm noun Power; might; strength; support.
- arm in arm adv In collusion, in concert (with someone).
- arm's length noun A position not suggesting or inviting intimacy.
- armamentary noun a store, store room or other collection.
- armchair adj Remote from actual involvement, including a person retired from previously active involvement.
- armchair quarterback noun A person who criticizes something in which they are not involved and lack expertise.
- armlock noun Power to control or heavily influence something or someone.
- armoury noun A place where arms are kept, an arsenal.
- arms race noun Any similar competition that involves competing developments.
- army noun A large group of people working toward the same purpose.
- around prep So as to avoid something.
- arpeggio verb To move (the hand or fingers) against a surface as if playing arpeggios on a keyboard; to touch different points in succession along a…
- arrow point noun A direction, focus, or clear path.
- arsenal of democracy noun The United States of America, as supplier of extensive materiel support to U.S. allies during World War II; or post-war U.S. as the…
- asbestos verb To insulate or buffer.
- ascend verb To rise; to become higher, more noble, etc.
- ascendant noun The degree of the zodiac or point of the ecliptic which rises in an eastern direction above the horizon at a particular moment (especially…
- ash noun What remains after a catastrophe.
- ash-heap noun A state of ruin.
- ask verb To indirectly encourage or make more likely (an undesirable outcome).
- askew adj Untoward, unfavourable.
- aslope adv Indirectly, obliquely.
- aslosh adj Having a large quantity of, abounding (with or in something).
- asp noun An evil person; a snake.
- asperity noun The quality of being difficult or unpleasant to experience; (countable) a thing that is harsh and difficult to endure; a difficulty, a…
- ass pounding noun An instance of brutal violence.
- ass-blast verb To beat comprehensively; to trounce, waffle-stomp.
- ass-licker noun Someone who succumbs to authority, someone who excessively flatters or submits to authority figures in order to gain favor or secure a…
- assail verb To attack with harsh words or violent force.
- assailant noun A hostile critic or opponent.
- assassinate verb To harm, ruin, or defame severely or destroy by treachery, slander, libel, or obscure attack.
- asterisk noun Something which is of little importance or which is marginal; a footnote.
- asthenia noun weakness
- astronomic adj Of very large or immense proportions; colossal.
- asunder adv Into separate parts or pieces, often due to some violent action.