: of, relating to, or characteristic of England, the English people, or the English language
Englishness
noun
1
a
: the language of the people of England and the U.S. and many areas now or formerly under British control
b
: a particular variety of English distinguished by peculiarities (as of pronunciation)
c
: English language, literature, or composition when a subject of study
2
plural in construction
: the people of England
3
a
: an English translation
b
: idiomatic or intelligible English
4
: spin around the vertical axis deliberately imparted to a ball that is driven or rolled compare draw, follow, body english
Englished; Englishing; Englishes
Examples of English in a Sentence
Noun
The English traditionally have afternoon tea.
I asked the doctor to give me my diagnosis in English, not medical jargon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
This opera is sung in Italian with English captions.
—Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
He’s aged especially well considering that he was turned to stone and died (briefly) during Pokémon: The First Movie.
November 10, 2024, marks the 25th anniversary of The First Movie’s English release.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for English 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
In person, the actress exudes intellectual intensity and modish English reticence, though there’s a certain mischievous energy, of the kind that defined her early performances, that glimmers in her eyes.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
This opera is sung in Italian with English captions.
—Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
The online survey is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and traditional Chinese and is open through Sunday, Nov. 24, at sccld.org/communitysurvey.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
He’s aged especially well considering that he was turned to stone and died (briefly) during Pokémon: The First Movie.
November 10, 2024, marks the 25th anniversary of The First Movie’s English release.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for English
Articles Related to English
Dictionary Entries Near English
Cite this Entry
“English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/English. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
English
1 of 2 adjective
En·glish
ˈiŋ-glish 
: of, relating to, or characteristic of England, the English people, or the English language
English
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the language of the people of England and the U.S. and many areas now or formerly under British control
b
: English language, literature, or writing technique that is a subject of study
2
English plural
: the people of England
3
: a sideways spin given to a ball when it is struck or bowled
Etymology
Adjective
Old English englisc "English," from Engle "the Angles (Germanic people who invaded England in the 5th century along with the Saxons and with them formed the Anglo-Saxon peoples)"
Biographical Definition
English
biographical name
En·glish
ˈiŋ-glish
ˈiŋ-lish
Bill 1961– Simon William English prime minister of New Zealand (2016–2017)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share