Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of or relating to the English language: Pertaining to the language spoken in England, the United States, and many other countries.
   • Of or relating to or characteristic of England or its culture or people: Describing something originating from or associated with the country of England.

2. Noun:

   • (Sports) The spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist: A rotational motion imparted to a ball in games like billiards or tennis.
   • The discipline that studies the English language and literature: The academic field focused on analyzing the English language and its literary works.
   • The people of England: The collective term for the inhabitants of England.
   • An Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the Commonwealth countries: A major global language with West Germanic origins.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She is taking an English literature course this semester.
  • We visited an English village during our trip.

• Noun (Language/People):

  • He speaks English fluently.
  • The English have a rich cultural heritage.

• Noun (Academic Discipline):

  • She majored in English at university.

• Noun (Sports):

  • The player put a lot of English on the cue ball to make the shot.

Advanced Usage

• "In plain English": To say something in clear, simple, and straightforward language.
  • Could you explain the legal terms in plain English?

Variants and Related Words

• Anglicize / Anglicise (verb): To make something English in form or character.
  • The company anglicized its brand name for the UK market.

Synonyms

• Adjective (relating to England): British (Note: "British" can refer to the wider UK, while "English" specifically refers to England).
• Noun (language): The King's English / The Queen's English (refers to standard, correct English).

Related Phrases

• Body English: A humorous term for the physical movements a person makes, as if trying to influence the path of a ball already in motion.
  • He used a lot of body English while watching the bowling ball head toward the pins.

Idioms

• To speak the King's/Queen's English: To speak standard, correct, and often formal English.
  • The diplomat was careful to speak the Queen's English during the address.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the English language
2. of or relating to or characteristic of England or its culture or people
   • English history
   • the English landed aristocracy
   • English literature

Noun

1. (sports) the spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist
2. the discipline that studies the English language and literature
3. the people of England
4. an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries