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 27 of 57: from “iron fist” to “kitchen table”.
- iron fist noun Ruthless and usually unrestricted control.
- iron man noun Someone who performs a very complex, complicated, or strenuous task without assistance.
- iron out verb To resolve (a dispute); to solve (a problem).
- ironbound adj Rugged.
- ironclad adj Solid or certain; not able to be disputed or questioned; irrefutable.
- irradiate adj Made splendid or wonderful.
- irradiation noun mental light or illumination.
- Ishmaelite noun An Arab Muslim.
- issue noun Progeny: all one's lineal descendants.
- italicize verb To emphasize.
- itchy adj In a state of agitation; easily alarmed.
- jab noun A mild verbal insult.
- jabby adj Characterized by jab-like rhythms or actions.
- jackbooted adj Authoritarian or oppressive, especially in a cruel or violent manner.
- jackhammer noun Something that is very strong but also very rigid.
- jam up verb To cause trouble; to stop or inhibit (someone, something).
- jangle verb To express or say (something) in an argumentative or harsh manner.
- janissary noun An elite, highly loyal supporter.
- jar noun A quivering or vibrating movement or sensation resulting from something being shaken or struck.
- jaundice noun A feeling of bitterness, resentment or jealousy.
- jaundiced adj Prejudiced; envious.
- jaw noun Anything resembling the jaw (sense 1) of an animal in form or action; the mouth or way of entrance.
- jaw-jutting adj determined, dogged, strong-willed, defiant
- jazz noun Energy, excitement, excitability.
- Jesus Christ noun A savior; one who provides critical help or salvation to others in need.
- Jesus nut noun A single point of failure with catastrophic consequences.
- jettison verb To let go or get rid of as being useless or defective.
- jewel noun Anything precious or valuable.
- jib verb To express reluctance; to balk.
- job noun A person who shows remarkable patience, especially in the face of great misfortune.
- Job's comforter noun A person who, in trying to offer help or advice, says something that aggravates the distress.
- jockey for position verb To try to come out ahead in a competition for something specific or put oneself in a more favourable position generally.
- joconde noun A Mona Lisa.
- joke noun A laughably worthless thing or person; a sham.
- joker noun Something kept in reserve that can be used to gain an advantage; a trump card.
- jorum noun A large quantity.
- journey noun Any process or progression likened to a journey, especially one that involves difficulties or personal development.
- journeyman's piece noun An action or achievement by which someone proves their competency.
- jousting noun Any activity in which two people spar with each other verbally.
- joyride noun A very pleasant experience.
- jubilee noun A time for release or restitution.
- juicy adj Exciting; titillating.
- jujitsu verb To attack (someone) or overcome (a challenge) with strategic maneuvering.
- jump verb To increase sharply, to rise, to shoot up.
- jump cut verb To abruptly shift one's focus toward a later point in time; to fast-forward.
- jump scare noun The sudden arrival or advent of something unpleasant.
- jump ship verb To leave something, especially suddenly or rapidly.
- jump-start verb To reactivate or rejuvenate.
- junction verb To form a junction.
- jungle noun A tangled mess.
- jungle drums noun An informal network of news and gossip; the grapevine.
- Jupiterian adj Jovian; elevated, rarefied.
- kabuki noun A stylized, pretentious, and often hollow performance; (especially) political posturing.
- kaleidograph noun A changing visual display.
- kaleidoscope noun A constantly changing series of colours or other things.
- kaleidoscopic adj Brightly coloured and continuously changing in pattern, as if in a kaleidoscope.
- kayfabe noun Similar fakery or suspension of disbelief in other contexts.
- keel over verb Of a vessel: to roll so far on its side that it cannot recover; to capsize or turn turtle.
- keep at arm's length verb Avoid direct confrontation or struggle.
- keep one's cards close to one's chest verb To avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.
- keep score verb To keep track of figures, numbers, or other details in various other contexts.
- keep sight of verb to fix (a goal, commitment, etc.) as something to remember or adhere to
- keep up with verb To manage to remain up to date with trends, fashions, etc.
- kell noun That which covers or envelops, like a caul; a net; a fold; a film.
- kempt adj Neat and tidy.
- kerblam verb To explode.
- kerplunk noun A disappointment which comes as a surprise.
- kettle noun Ellipsis of kettle of fish.
- key noun A piece of information (e.g., a password or passphrase) used to encode or decode a message or messages.
- key down verb To relax.
- key up verb To produce nervous tension in (someone).
- kiam chye noun Very crumpled items (eg. paper, clothes).
- kibble noun Food that is high in nutritional value yet tasteless.
- kick noun Any bucking motion of an object that lacks legs or feet.
- kick against the pricks verb To struggle against fate or authority.
- kick start verb To start or begin strongly or quickly.
- kick up verb To raise, to increase (a price).
- kick up one's heels verb To dance.
- kid glove noun A metaphorical representation of careful handling.
- kidney noun Constitution, temperament, nature, type, character, disposition. (usually used of people)
- kill verb To stop, cease, or render void; to terminate.
- kill off verb To put an end to.
- killbuck noun A violent person.
- killcalf noun A violent person.
- killcow noun A violent person; a bully; a brutal or indiscriminate killer.
- killer noun That which causes stress or is extremely difficult, especially that which may cause failure at a task.
- killingly adv So as to incapacitate with laughter.
- kindle verb To arouse or inspire (a passion, etc).
- kindler noun A person who kindles or ignites something.
- king noun A powerful or majorly influential person; someone who holds the preeminent position.
- king hit noun A blow intended to incapacitate in one hit, often delivered without warning.
- King of the Jungle noun Someone who dominates some scene, being the leader in their field, the dominant criminal in a region, etc.
- King's shilling noun The benefits and rewards of military service.
- kingdom come noun Death; also, a state of complete annihilation.
- kingpin noun The most important person in a usually evil undertaking or organization, often a druglord.
- kishke noun Intestines, guts.
- kiss goodbye verb To lose something painfully, especially something valuable.
- kissing cousin noun A thing which is related or similar to another thing.
- kitchen sink noun A miscellaneous item or a miscellany, especially exemplifying an indiscriminate profusion.
- kitchen table noun Of a polyamory relationship, in which all the partners know each other and live or socialize casually together.