: 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
Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
While she was gone, her husband and staff had temporarily moved into a lovely English Tudor home on Woodmont Blvd., one of Nashville’s better addresses.
—Alanna Nash, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English X account.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2025
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Adjective
Written and directed by De Ferrari, the play will be performed in Spanish with English translations.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
While she was gone, her husband and staff had temporarily moved into a lovely English Tudor home on Woodmont Blvd., one of Nashville’s better addresses.
—Alanna Nash, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
Students in Blue Island who have been untangling their emotions and thoughts through creative writing recently received some attention, along with rave reviews, not just from their teachers but also the National Council of Teachers of English.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English X account.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for English
Articles Related to English
Cite this Entry
“English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/English. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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)
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