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 47 of 57: from “spilling” to “sterling”.
- spilling noun The action of spreading out in the manner of a fluid.
- spin verb To present, describe, or interpret, or to introduce a bias or slant, so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance.
- spin down verb To diminish in energy; to slow down or peter out; to be gradually canceled or ended.
- spin up verb To be brought into full operation; to reach full potential or capacity; to spool up.
- spine noun Courage or assertiveness.
- spined adj Having a certain type of spine (backbone).
- spiral verb To increase continually.
- spitball verb To brainstorm ideas.
- spitfire noun A person with a fiery temper, someone easily provoked to anger, especially a woman or girl.
- splash verb To roughly fill with color.
- splashy adj Ostentatious, showy.
- splay adj Crooked, distorted, out of place.
- splice verb To unite as if splicing.
- splinter verb To break, or cause to break, into factions.
- split screen adj Dividing one's attention between two events unfolding simultaneously.
- splutter noun A noisy commotion.
- sponge cake noun Something that is simple or very easy.
- sponge out verb To remove (something, especially debts).
- spool up verb To be brought into full operation; to reach full potential or capacity.
- spoon noun A simpleton, a spoony.
- spoorless adj Without (leaving) a trace.
- spotlight verb To draw attention to.
- spray noun Something resembling a spray of liquid.
- spring verb To arise, to come into existence.
- spring cleaning noun A systematic cleaning, reorganization, or weeding out of a system.
- spring out verb To gush, spurt, or flow, particularly in the manner of blood.
- spring up verb To come rapidly into existence.
- springboard noun Something that acts as a catalyst to begin or accelerate an action or growth.
- springhead noun A source.
- springlock verb To confine or trap (someone) in something, especially a (usually mechanical) suit or costume due to a failure in the suit's design.
- sprout noun A child.
- spur noun Anything that inspires or motivates, as a spur does a horse.
- spurgall verb To bother, harass, or insult
- square noun A true measure, standard, or pattern.
- square one's shoulders verb To prepare to deal with a hard task, to ready oneself for difficulty.
- square the circle verb To solve a famously difficult or impossible problem.
- squarely adv Firmly and solidly.
- squeeze noun A difficult position.
- squeeze out verb (sports) To force (a competitor) out of one of a limited number of winning positions by taking over that position or a higher one.
- squeeze play noun An instance of 'squeezing' someone: a use of pressure or force to achieve one's goal.
- squilgee verb Synonym of squeegee (“to use a (squilgee or) squeegee on (something, such as a surface)”).
- squint verb To have an indirect bearing, reference, or implication; to have an allusion to, or inclination towards, something.
- squirrel cage noun A tedious, repetitive, unfulfilling activity or situation, especially one in which no progress is achieved.
- squirrelliness noun (of a person) Eccentricity.
- squirrelly adj Eccentric.
- squirt verb To throw out or utter words rapidly; to prate.
- squishy adj Subjective or vague.
- stab verb To injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or slander.
- staccato noun Any sound resembling a musical staccato.
- stack noun A large amount of an object.
- stage set noun The context or environmental surroundings of an event; ambiance.
- stage-manage verb To carefully control or direct (an event, operation, etc.) from the background, especially in a calculating manner, so as to achieve a…
- staging area noun A place to gather in preparation.
- staging post noun A well-defined point in a process where one can rest or regroup.
- stagnant adj Without activity, change or progress, or excitement in an unhealthy manner; inactive, stale.
- stagnation noun The state of lacking activity, change or progress, or excitement in an unhealthy manner; inactivity, staleness; (countable) an instance of…
- stalemate noun Any situation that has no obvious possible movement, but involves no personal loss.
- stamp noun A tattoo.
- stamp collecting noun Collection of items or information of no intrinsic value.
- stamp collection noun A collection of items or information of no useful value.
- stampede noun A sudden unconcerted acting together of a number of persons due to, or as if due to, some common impulse.
- stanchless adj Incapable of being satisfied.
- stand sentinel verb To be in line like soldiers.
- stand still verb To stop moving, to remain motionless.
- standard-bearer noun A person who visibly leads.
- standing noun Position or reputation in society or a profession.
- standing ground noun A place on which someone or something can stand firmly, especially in order to fight a contest or to take a secure view of something; a…
- star noun A network topology with multiple computers individually merging to one central switch, thus free of risk of collisions. A single point of…
- starboard noun A system that enables such a list.
- stardust noun Something imaginary or lacking substance.
- stargaze verb To gaze engrossed with emotion or contemplatively.
- start into verb To begin to eat.
- starting gate noun The beginning.
- starting gun noun A signal to start or proceed; something that triggers an event or situation.
- starting point noun The place where a journey starts.
- starvation noun Severe shortage of resources.
- stasis noun Inactivity; a freezing, or state of motionlessness.
- static noun Interference or obstruction from people.
- staunch adj Staying true to one's aims or principles; firm, resolute, unswerving.
- stawsome adj Tiresome, boring, wearisome.
- stead noun A place as it relates to a role, service, or ability; capacity.
- steady verb To stabilize; to prevent from shaking.
- steal noun A piece of merchandise available at a very low, attractive price; the act of buying it.
- steam verb To be cooked with steam.
- steam shovel verb To excavate (a place, or something from a place) using a steam shovel.
- steamed adj Angry; hot under the collar.
- steamroll verb To ruthlessly crush or overwhelm.
- steamroller verb To proceed ruthlessly against all opposition as if with an overwhelming force.
- steamy adj Erotic.
- steel verb To harden or strengthen; to nerve or make obdurate; to fortify against.
- steep verb To imbue with something; to be deeply immersed in.
- steerless adj Without a guiding or steering influence; haphazard.
- stench noun A foul quality.
- step verb To move mentally; to go in imagination.
- step aside verb To make room for others as replacements by withdrawing from a position or service.
- step down verb To reduce gradually or incrementally.
- stepstone noun A stepping stone
- stereotype adj Synonym of stereotyped.
- sterile adj Terse; lacking sentiment or emotional stimulation, as in a manner of speaking.
- sterling adj Of acknowledged influence; authoritative; also, of high or excellent quality; of proven worth.