: 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
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Armenia also played host to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a move that further rankled the Kremlin, especially because Pashinyan and Zelensky held talks in English, rather than in Russian, the old Soviet lingua franca.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
One of these experts, Horst Bredekamp, edited a two-volume study of the volume in English called Galileo’s O (2011).
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 8 June 2026
English Cucumbers English cucumbers, also known as greenhouse, European, or seedless cucumbers, are a type of slicing cucumber known for their softer seeds and thinner skin, which is why they're wrapped in plastic when sold at supermarkets.
—Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
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Noun
Nimali stood with a platter of roast pork, her eyes wide in alarm; even someone who spoke no English could understand the absurd back-and-forthing, like a hostage negotiation.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Armenia also played host to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a move that further rankled the Kremlin, especially because Pashinyan and Zelensky held talks in English, rather than in Russian, the old Soviet lingua franca.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
One of these experts, Horst Bredekamp, edited a two-volume study of the volume in English called Galileo’s O (2011).
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 8 June 2026
English Cucumbers English cucumbers, also known as greenhouse, European, or seedless cucumbers, are a type of slicing cucumber known for their softer seeds and thinner skin, which is why they're wrapped in plastic when sold at supermarkets.
—Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 8 June 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 13 Jun. 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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