English

1 of 2

adjective

En·​glish ˈiŋ-glish  ˈiŋ-lish 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of England, the English people, or the English language

Englishness noun

Englishness

2 of 2

noun

En·​glish·​ness

plural -es

: the distinctive qualities or characteristics that set apart or are felt to set apart the English people, their works, or institutions

Oxford and Cambridge are the very essence of Englishness, on a par with the monarchy, Parliament, the Church of England

—Newsweek

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English englisc, from Engle (plural) Angles

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing English

• African American English
• African American Vernacular English
• American English
• anti-English
• Black English
• Black English vernacular
• body English
• borough English
• British English
• English breakfast
• English cocker spaniel
• English daisy
• English foxhound
• English holly
• English horn
• English ivy
• English muffin
• English pea
• English saddle
• English setter
• English shepherd
• English sonnet
• English sparrow
• English springer spaniel
• English system
• English toy spaniel
• English walnut
• English yew
• Hiberno English
• King's English
• Middle English
• New English Bible
• Old English
• Old English sheepdog
• Pidgin English
• Southern English
• Standard English
• the English
• un-English

Kids 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 noun

1

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)"