: 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
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Notably, the Oxford English Dictionary was written by public contributions in the 19th century.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
This lively street—lined with elegant colonial homes and cozy cafes and restaurants—culminates at the iconic Ex-Convento de San Bernardino de Siena, known for its nightly video-mapping shows projected in Spanish and in English.
—Regina Zumarraga, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Cantens, who is American of Cuban ancestry, is fluent in English and Spanish.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
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Noun
The feature launches April 27 and will include content in English, German and Spanish.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Notably, the Oxford English Dictionary was written by public contributions in the 19th century.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
This lively street—lined with elegant colonial homes and cozy cafes and restaurants—culminates at the iconic Ex-Convento de San Bernardino de Siena, known for its nightly video-mapping shows projected in Spanish and in English.
—Regina Zumarraga, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Cantens, who is American of Cuban ancestry, is fluent in English and Spanish.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for English
Cite this Entry
“English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/English. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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)"
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