A-Z-28

60 words & definitions

lunge verb
To move suddenly and with a lot of force in order to catch, hit, or avoid something or someone
lurch verb
To make an abrupt, unsteady, uncontrolled movement or series of movements; stagger
lurk verb
(of a person or animal) To be hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something
mangle verb
To severely mutilate, disfigure, or damage by cutting, tearing, or crushing
maul verb
(of an animal) To wound (a person or animal) by scratching and tearing
mayhem noun
Violent and chaotic disorder
lush adjective
Soft, thick, pleasingly rich quality, often from vegetation
mangy adjective
In poor condition; shabby
mawkish adjective
Sentimental in a feeble or sickly way
maverick noun
An unorthodox or independent-minded person
lull nounverb
verb
Calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements
meager adjective
(of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality
meander verb
(of a river or road) To follow a winding course.
luscious adjective
(of food or wine) having a pleasingly rich, sweet taste
malady noun
A disease or ailment
lure nounverb
verb
Tempt (a person or an animal) to do something or to go somewhere, especially by offering some form of reward.
luster noun
A soft glow or shine.
lump nounverb
verb
Gather or discard items in a haphazard, indiscriminate heap or group.
martyr nounverb
verb
To kill someone because of their beliefs
majestic adjective
Having or showing impressive beauty or dignity
malicious adjective
Characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm
massacre nounverb
verb
Killing a lot of people
maestro noun
A person who is very skilled at doing something, especially music
magnificent adjective
Extremely beautiful or good
malevolent adjective
Having a desire to do harm or evil to others.
masquerade noun
Behavior that is intended to deceive.
marathon adjective
Referring to an activity that takes a long time and a great deal of effort
massive adjective
Very large.
lunatic noun
A person who is crazy
marauder noun
A person who roams around seeking to attack or steal from others
luxurious adjective
Very comfortable and expensive
lull nounverb
noun
A temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity
lure nounverb
noun
Something that tempts or is used to tempt a person or animal to do something
lump nounverb
noun
A piece of something, often with an irregular shape and weight.
martyr nounverb
noun
A person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs
massacre nounverb
noun
An act of killing a lot of people
lust noun
A powerful urge or longing – a deep-seated drive that can sometimes lead to irrational or impulsive behavior, often of a sexual nature.
macabre adjective
Gruesome and horrifying, often involving death or injury β€” typically used to describe disturbing or morbid subjects.
machinations noun
Crafty schemes or plots, especially intended to achieve something deceitful or underhanded; secret or complicated plans, often with a negative or manipulative goal.
malaise noun
A societal or group-wide sense of dissatisfaction or stagnation, often in politics or economics.
malign verb
To speak harmful untruths about someone – to slander or defame, showing illwill.
malignant adjective
Dangerous and harmful, tending to produce death or deterioration – often describing something destructive or uncontrollably harmful.
mandatory adjective
Compulsory or obligatory, not voluntary – enforced by an authority.
maneuver nounverb
noun
A strategic or clever action β€” used to gain an advantage in a situation, especially in politics or negotiations.
marvelous adjective
Excellent or outstanding in quality β€” remarkably good.
maze noun
A tangled or intricate arrangement of elements, ideas, or processes.
lurid adjective
Shockingly vivid or sensational, often in a way that is meant to provoke strong emotions.
maven noun
A person with deep enthusiasm and skill β€” someone who is passionate and experienced in a particular area.
magnanimous noun
Generous and forgiving, kind and selfless, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.
makeshift adjective
Improvised and usually crude – serving a purpose in the short term but lacking durability or quality.
malfunction noun
A failure to function properly – when a machine or system doesn’t work as intended.
maneuver nounverb
verb
To carefully guide or manipulate (someone or something) in order to achieve an end.
maniac noun
Someone who is mentally ill tending towards violent and dangerous behavior.
mar verb
To cause a flaw or imperfection β€” to damage or spoil the appearance or quality of something β€” to make something less perfect or attractive.
luxury noun
A condition of abundance, great ease and comfort.
marathon noun
Any long and challenging activity, especially one that tests endurance.
lunacy noun
Stupid or crazy ideas or behavior that is likely to have bad results
manifesto noun
A public declaration of intent, policy, aims, opinions, and objectives.
majesty noun
Beauty, grandeur, dignity, and greatness that inspires awe and respect.
manageable adjective
Of a size, quantity, or level of difficulty that people are able to deal with