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 36 of 57: from “paralogous” to “phone in”.
- paralogous adj Having a similar structure, quality or nature indicating divergence or relationship from a common point of origin.
- parasitism noun A similar interaction between people or things.
- parcel up verb To combine into a single compact entity.
- parentage noun Origin; derivation.
- pareve adj Neutral, bland, inoffensive.
- pariah noun A similarly despised group of people or species of animal.
- park verb To defer (a matter) until a later date.
- parking lot noun A road blocked by stop-start traffic.
- parlor adj Advocating something in a secluded place without actual involvement or action.
- parlour game noun The use of deliberately nebulous or confusing language.
- parlour trick noun A piece of trickery or falsehood, especially a trivial one.
- parrot noun A parroter; a person who repeats the words or ideas of others.
- part ways verb To end a relationship; to pursue a certain choice, course of action, etc. in a way that alienates or reduces communication with a partner.
- parturiency noun A process or quality that brings forth something new.
- party crasher noun Someone or something who introduces negativity, chaos, or disruption into a situation.
- party-crashing adj Of a person or other object, introducing negativity, chaos, or disruption into a situation.
- pas de deux noun A complicated relationship or process involving two entities, usually persons.
- Paschal Lamb noun Jesus Christ symbolized as a sacrifice for the sins of humankind.
- pass noun A thrust; a sally of wit.
- passion tree noun The cross on which Jesus was crucified.
- passport noun Something which enables someone to do or achieve something.
- pasteboard adj unsubstantial; flimsy
- pasteboardy adj Stiffly formal; starchy; prim and proper.
- patball noun A back-and-forth situation.
- patch up verb To repair relations; to improve relations.
- patchwork noun Any kind of creation that makes use of many different aspects to create one whole piece.
- patchwork quilt noun Something having a haphazard or disorganized structure; something composed of seemingly random parts.
- patent verb To be closely associated or identified with (something); to monopolize.
- paternity noun Authorship.
- path of least resistance noun The easiest way to do something.
- pathfinder noun One who is the first to do something in a particular field; an innovator, a pioneer.
- pathless adj Unexplored.
- pathway noun A course of action.
- patient zero noun The source or origin of something.
- patina noun A gloss or superficial layer.
- patron saint noun An exemplar: an individual who exemplifies some trait or group.
- pause noun Hesitation; suspense; doubt.
- pave verb To pave the way for; to make easy and smooth.
- paved adj Laid out or made, as intentions, desires, plans, etc.
- pavilion verb To enclose or surround (after Robert Grant's hymn line "pavilioned in splendour, And girded with praise").
- pay back verb To avenge, to exact revenge.
- pay dirt noun A profitable area or period; success.
- pay grade noun A level of authority or responsibility (since pay rate, authority and responsibility generally increase similarly).
- peace noun Death.
- peach fuzz noun Lightly or sparsely grown hair, especially facial hair.
- pearl verb To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl.
- peccant adj Especially of humours of the body: diseased, unhealthy; also, causing disease.
- pecking order noun The usually informal hierarchy of authority, command, or social status, as determined by the especially natural propensity for domination…
- pecunious adj rich (of quality, etc.)
- peddle verb To spread or cause to spread.
- peddler noun A fake-news disseminator; A conspiracy-theory propagator.
- pedestal noun A place of reverence or honor.
- pedestrian adj Ordinary, dull; everyday; unexceptional.
- peevish adj Of weather: blustery, windy; also, of wind: cold and strong; bitter, sharp.
- peg noun A support; a reason; a pretext.
- Pegasean adj Of or pertaining to poetry.
- peise verb To weigh or take the measure of (an immaterial object).
- pelfray noun rubbish; trash
- pellucid adj Easily understood; clear.
- pelt noun The skin of an animal (especially a goat or sheep) with the hair or wool removed, often in preparation for tanning.
- pelter noun A pelting; a shower of missiles, rain, anger, etc.
- pen noun A writer, or their style.
- pen in verb To cause to be stuck in a situation; to be forced into a situation by circumstances.
- penalty box noun A temporary punishment, or, metaphorically, a similar setback (e.g., loss of control, embarrassment, etc.).
- penates noun Synonym of household deities in other contexts.
- penetrable adj Capable of being fully understood.
- penetrate verb To achieve understanding of, despite some obstacle; to comprehend; to understand.
- penniless adj Lacking even the smallest amount of money.
- pennon noun Something resembling a pennon (sense 1).
- penumbra noun An area of uncertainty or intermediacy between two mutually exclusive states or categories.
- peon noun A person of low rank or importance.
- pepper pot noun A person who is hot tempered; a feisty or argumentative person.
- pepper-and-salt adj Of a feeling, intense, spirited, or vigorous.
- peppery adj Having a fiery temperament.
- perch noun A position that is secure and advantageous, especially one which is prominent or elevated.
- percolate verb To spread slowly or gradually; to slowly become noticed or realised.
- peregrination noun Broad or systematic discussion of a subject; (countable) an instance of this; a discourse.
- perennial adj Continuing without cessation or intermission for several years, or for an undetermined or infinite period; never-ending or never failing…
- perfect pitch noun By extension, a reliable innate sense of exactly what is true, appropriate, or needed in a given particular situation.
- perfect storm noun A convergence of multiple adverse factors that together create a critical, disastrous, or unusually severe situation.
- pericarp noun The outer layer of anything.
- perihelion noun The highest point or state; the peak, zenith.
- period noun A decisive end to something; a stop.
- perspective noun The choice of a single angle or point of view from which to sense, categorize, measure or codify experience.
- perspicacious adj Of acute discernment; having keen insight; mentally perceptive.
- perspicaciously adv With acute discernment; keenly; with mental perception.
- pervious adj Capable of being seen through; open to being examined; patent, unconcealed.
- pestilential adj Having a harmful moral effect (especially one that is believed to spread in the manner of pestilence).
- pet adj Favourite; cherished; the focus of one's (usually positive) attention.
- petrification noun obduracy; callousness.
- petrify verb To become stony, callous, or obdurate.
- petty noun A little schoolboy, either in grade or size.
- phallocentrism noun Focus on a male point of view.
- Pharisee noun A person who values the letter of the law over its spirit or intention.
- pharos noun That which stands out; a shining light.
- philistine noun An opponent (of the speaker, writer, etc); an enemy, a foe.
- philosopher king noun A very wise ruler.
- phoenix noun Anything that is reborn after apparently being destroyed.
- phone box noun A very small space.
- phone in verb To fulfill a responsibility with a minimum effort rather than the appropriate level of effort.