: 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
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Stanton is…English?), but again, this is why these kids are going to need to be protected from what is no doubt going to be an awful internet discourse.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Puro-Steele is a dual Spanish-British national and fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 May 2025
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Adjective
Notts County versus Wimbledon in League Two, English football’s fourth tier.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Stanton is…English?), but again, this is why these kids are going to need to be protected from what is no doubt going to be an awful internet discourse.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
While Tenerife’s western coast has earned quite the reputation for its debaucherous party scene, there’s a lot more to experience across the region than just English 20-somethings on holiday.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Puro-Steele is a dual Spanish-British national and fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for English
Cite this Entry
“English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/English. Accessed 2 Jun. 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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