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 44 of 57: from “shadowy” to “sign of life”.
- shadowy adj Vague, dim, unclear, faint.
- shaggy adj Confused, muddled.
- shake verb To threaten to overthrow.
- shake hands verb To part, to say farewell.
- shake out verb To agitate a piece of cloth or other flexible material in order to remove dust, or to try to make it smooth and flat.
- shaken adj Chiefly of a person: having had one's composure or confidence disrupted or upset; in a state of shock or trauma.
- shallow end noun A situation where little expertise or experience is required.
- shapeshift verb To undergo a noticeable change (in character for example), to metamorphosize.
- shapeshifter noun A person who is inconsistent and elusive.
- sharp end noun The most difficult or dangerous aspect of something.
- sharp-edged adj Of a person, acute and scathing, in a sarcastic way.
- sharp-elbowed adj Pushy; having a boldly assertive manner intended to establish an advantage.
- sharp-toothed adj Of a person or idea, fierce, biting, or scathing.
- sharpen verb To make sharp.
- sharpener noun That which makes something sharp.
- she-devil noun A woman whose bad temper, cruelty or wicked ways are so extreme as to evoke an image of the devil.
- she-wolf noun A predatory woman.
- shear verb To deprive of property; to fleece.
- sheathe verb To thrust (a sharp object like a sword, a claw, or a tusk) into something.
- sheen noun Splendor; radiance; shininess.
- sheep-biter noun A contemptible person, especially one who practices petty thefts.
- sheet noun Precipitation of such quantity and force as to resemble a thin, virtually solid wall.
- shelf life noun The length of time that something is popular or fashionable.
- shell noun The outward form independent of what is inside.
- shell shock verb To stun or debilitate as by a shock.
- shell-shocked adj Confused as a result of a traumatic experience.
- shelve verb To take (drugs) by anal or vaginal insertion.
- shepherd noun Someone who watches over, looks after, or guides somebody.
- shield noun One who protects or defends.
- shield wall noun An impenetrable barrier.
- shift verb To move from one place to another; to redistribute.
- shimmery adj (Apparently) shaking or trembling.
- shine through verb To be discernible despite obstruction; to be apparent or evidenced.
- ship out verb To leave, get out, or resign.
- shipboard adj casual or ephemeral (e.g. a shipboard romance)
- shipshape and Bristol fashion adj Neatly and properly arranged or organized; neat and tidy, tidy.
- shipwreck noun Destruction; disaster; failure; ruin; irretrievable loss.
- shipwrecky adj Weak, feeble; shaky.
- shit oneself verb To be very frightened or astonished (to the extent that one might lose control of one's bowels).
- shithole noun A very dirty, poor, and unpleasant place.
- shitling noun A little shit (all senses)
- shock noun Something so surprising that it is stunning.
- shock and awe noun A doctrine based on the use of spectacular displays of force.
- shock wave noun Any violent disturbance.
- shoe-leather noun Tough meat, especially cheap meat.
- shoebox noun A small, cramped residence or similar space.
- shoehorn verb To force (something) into (a tight space); to squeeze (something) into (a schedule, etc); to exert great effort to insert or include…
- shoestring noun An object that is long and thin, like a shoestring (sense 1).
- shool verb To move with a shoveling motion, to cover as by shoveling
- shoot verb To dismiss or do away with.
- shoot from the hip verb To speak or act quickly based on first impressions, without carefully studying the background information, wider context, etc.
- shoot one's load verb To expend one's resources or one's opportunity, especially prematurely; to blow one's chance.
- shoot the moon verb To attain great heights, a high value, or a numerically high measurement.
- shoot up verb To grow taller or larger rapidly.
- shooting gallery noun Any game or match with lots of shooting (e.g. at a goal)
- shop noun Discussion of business or professional affairs.
- shop-soiled adj Not fresh or new.
- shopping list noun A list of related items; especially, a list of desired items.
- shopworn adj Of an idea, a piece or writing, etc.: repeated so often as to have become uninteresting; clichéd, overused, tired.
- short circuit noun A logical disconnect, such as cognitive dissonance or poor analysis.
- short haul noun A short time; a short term.
- short hop noun A short distance.
- short shrift noun Sometimes preceded by the: a quick dismissal or rejection, especially one which is impolite and undertaken without proper consideration.
- short-sighted adj Unable to see long-term objectives; lacking foresight.
- short-winded adj Hasty, breathless; rushed.
- shortstop noun A nimble defender.
- shot noun An opportunity or attempt.
- shoulder verb To bear a burden, as a financial obligation.
- shoulder-to-shoulder adv Whilst closely cooperating; with hearty and united action or effort.
- shout verb To forcefully attract attention or proclaim one’s presence.
- shovel verb To move with a shoveling motion.
- showtime noun The time for action.
- shrapnel noun Debris.
- shred verb To reduce (something) by a large percentage; to slash.
- shrill adj Especially of a woman: fierce, loud, strident.
- shrimp noun A small penis.
- shrine noun A place or object hallowed from its history or associations.
- shrink verb To withdraw or retire, as from danger.
- shuffle the cards verb To reorganize or restructure an organization or situation.
- shut down verb To emotionally withdraw into oneself as a defense mechanism; to block out external stressors.
- shut the door verb To refuse to consider, remember, accept, or engage in.
- shutter verb To close up (a building) for a prolonged period of inoccupancy.
- shuttering noun The winding down of a business, a publication, etc.
- shylock noun A loan shark; a usurer.
- sicker verb To percolate, trickle, or seep; to ooze, as water through a crack.
- side by side adv In peace.
- side door noun A method that bypasses the primary process.
- side order noun An accompaniment.
- sidekick noun In literature, theatre, etc., a good foil of the protagonist, a character who helps emphasize the traits of the main character.
- sideline verb To remove or keep out of circulation or out of the focus.
- sidelining noun The act of pushing something aside; marginalization.
- sideshow noun An incidental spectacle that diverts attention from a larger concern.
- sidestep verb To avoid or dodge.
- sideswipe noun A catty or sarcastic remark.
- sidle verb To (cause something to) move sideways.
- siege noun A prolonged assault or attack.
- sigh noun a manifestation of grief; a lament.
- sight read verb To complete a video game level (particularly an autoscroller) while playing it for the first time, without practice.
- siglum noun A thing which represents something else; a sign, a symbol.
- sign of life noun An indication that someone is present.