With 301 nouns starting with the letter W, this comprehensive list offers a rich view into the diversity of English nouns. From “wackiness,” describing a quirky quality, to “workhorse,” symbolizing reliable effort, these nouns span everyday objects, natural phenomena, emotions, professions, and even mythical creatures. Many words share common roots or themes tied to nature, human behavior, and culture, making this collection both broad and detailed.
Explore the full list below to find nouns that start with W, each clearly defined and ready to support your writing, learning, or curiosity.
Definition This column explains the meaning of each noun in a straightforward way. It helps you understand what the word represents or describes.
Example Usage Here you see how the noun is used in a sentence. This shows the word in action, clarifying its practical use.
Description This section gives additional details about the noun. It may include background information, context, or special characteristics that make the word interesting or important.
Nouns that start with W
Nouns | Definition | Example usage |
---|---|---|
wackiness | The quality or state of being amusingly eccentric or zany. | His wackiness made him a beloved character at the party. |
wad | A small mass or ball of soft material. | He pulled a wad of cash from his pocket. |
wadding | A soft, bulky material used for padding, packing, or stopping up a hole. | The fragile antique was protected by cotton wadding in the box. |
waffle | A flat, often crisp, cake made of batter, cooked in a waffle iron. | She topped her warm waffle with fresh berries and syrup. |
wager | A bet; an agreement to risk money or something else of value on an uncertain outcome. | He made a wager with his friend about the outcome of the game. |
wagon | A vehicle, especially a four-wheeled one, used for transporting goods or people. | The family packed their picnic supplies into the wagon. |
wagtail | A small, slender bird with a very long tail that it constantly bobs up and down. | The wagtail hopped along the riverbank, its tail bobbing. |
waist | The part of the human body between the ribs and hips. | She tied a belt around her waist. |
waistcoat | A sleeveless upper-body garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket. | He wore a tailored waistcoat under his suit jacket. |
wait | A period of waiting; an act of waiting. | The long wait for the bus was frustrating. |
waiter | A man who serves food and drink at tables in a restaurant. | The waiter took their order with a friendly smile. |
waitress | A woman who serves food and drink at tables in a restaurant. | The waitress efficiently brought their drinks and appetizers. |
wake | The track left by a boat or other object moving through water or air. | The boat left a long, white wake behind it. |
wake-up | An act or instance of waking up. | The alarm clock provided a sudden wake-up. |
walk | An act of traveling or going on foot. | They went for a pleasant walk in the park. |
walkie-talkie | A portable two-way radio. | The security guards communicated using walkie-talkies. |
walkout | A sudden strike or protest by workers; an abrupt departure from a meeting. | The workers staged a walkout in protest of the new policy. |
walkway | A passage or path for walking. | They strolled along the scenic walkway by the river. |
wall | A continuous upright structure forming an enclosure or barrier. | The garden was surrounded by a stone wall. |
wallet | A small flat case, typically leather or plastic, for holding banknotes, credit cards, and other small items. | He kept his ID and money safely in his wallet. |
wallflower | A shy person who remains at the side at a party or dance. | She felt like a wallflower at the crowded social event. |
wallop | A powerful blow or impact. | The boxer delivered a wallop to his opponent. |
wallpaper | Decorative paper pasted in strips over the walls of a room. | They chose a floral wallpaper to brighten the living room. |
wally | A foolish or inept person. | Don’t be such a wally, think before you act! |
walnut | The large, edible nut of a deciduous tree, often used in cooking and baking. | She added chopped walnuts to the brownie batter. |
walrus | A large, marine mammal with tusks, found in Arctic seas. | The walrus rested on an ice floe, its tusks prominent. |
waltz | A ballroom dance in triple time, performed by a couple. | They glided across the floor, performing a graceful waltz. |
wampum | Traditional shell beads of the Eastern Woodlands tribes of Native Americans. | The wampum belts were used for trade and record-keeping. |
wand | A long, thin, flexible rod or stick, often used for magic or as an implement. | The magician waved his wand, and a dove appeared. |
wanderer | A person who travels aimlessly from place to place. | He was a solitary wanderer, exploring new lands. |
waning | The act of decreasing in size, extent, or power. | The moon’s waning phase followed the full moon. |
want | A lack or deficiency of something; a desire for something. | She expressed a strong want for a quiet evening. |
wanton | A lewd or immoral person; a sexually immodest woman. | He was described as a wanton, pursuing reckless pleasures. |
war | A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. | The nation declared war after the invasion. |
warble | A soft, low, continuous sound, typically made by a bird. | The bird’s melodic warble filled the morning air. |
ward | A separate room or area in a hospital, prison, or other institution. | The patient was moved to the surgical ward. |
warden | A person responsible for the supervision of a particular place or for enforcing regulations. | The prison warden maintained strict order among the inmates. |
wardrobe | A large, tall cabinet in which clothes may be hung or stored. | She organized her extensive collection of clothes in her wardrobe. |
ware | Articles of the same type, especially pottery, typically for sale. | The market stall sold beautiful ceramic ware. |
warehouse | A large building used for storing goods. | The company stored its products in a massive warehouse. |
warfare | Engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict. | Modern warfare relies heavily on advanced technology. |
warlock | A man who practices witchcraft; a male witch. | The warlock cast a powerful spell from his ancient grimoire. |
warlord | A military commander, especially one exercising independent power in a small area. | The warlord controlled a vast territory through his private army. |
warmth | The quality, state, or sensation of being warm; moderate heat. | The warmth of the sun felt comforting on her skin. |
warning | A statement or event that indicates a possible danger or problem. | The storm warning urged residents to seek shelter. |
warp | A twist or distortion in the shape or form of something. | The old wooden door had a slight warp. |
warrant | A document issued by a legal or government official authorizing an officer to make an arrest, search, or carry out some other action. | The police obtained a warrant to search the suspect’s home. |
warrior | A brave or experienced fighter or soldier. | The ancient warrior carried a shield and sword into battle. |
wart | A small, fleshy growth on the skin, typically caused by human papillomavirus. | He had a small wart on his finger that he wanted removed. |
warthog | A wild African pig with tusks and warty protuberances on the face. | The warthog rooted around for food in the savanna. |
washing | The act of washing something; clothes or other items being washed. | She hung the fresh washing out to dry on the line. |
washout | A complete failure; a rapid erosion by a flood or heavy rain. | The concert was a complete washout due to the heavy rain. |
wasp | A stinging insect with a slender body and a narrow waist. | A wasp buzzed around the picnic table, looking for food. |
wassail | A traditional alcoholic drink of spiced ale or mulled wine; a festive occasion with drinking. | They celebrated Christmas with a hearty wassail. |
waste | Material that is not wanted; the act of wasting something. | The factory produced a significant amount of industrial waste. |
wasteland | An unused or barren area of land; a desolate or ruined area. | The old factory site became a barren wasteland. |
waster | A person who wastes time or money. | He was known as a waster, always squandering his opportunities. |
watch | A small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket. | He checked the time on his new wristwatch. |
watchdog | A dog kept to guard private property; a person or group that monitors and protects. | The consumer watchdog group exposed the company’s unfair practices. |
watchmaker | A person who makes or repairs watches. | The antique watch was carefully repaired by a skilled watchmaker. |
watchman | A man employed to guard a building or property, typically at night. | The watchman patrolled the quiet streets after midnight. |
watchtower | A tower built to provide a wide view, especially for defensive purposes. | The ancient castle had a tall watchtower overlooking the valley. |
water | A colorless, transparent, odorless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms. | She drank a glass of cold water to quench her thirst. |
waterboard | A board used in the interrogation technique of waterboarding. | The term “waterboard” as a noun specifically refers to the apparatus, not the act. |
waterboard | A controversial interrogation technique that simulates drowning. | The international community condemned the use of waterboard as a form of torture. |
waterfall | A cascade of water falling from a height, formed when a river or stream flows over a precipice. | They hiked to see the magnificent waterfall in the mountains. |
waterfront | A part of a town or city adjoining a body of water such as a river, lake, or sea. | The waterfront promenade was bustling with tourists. |
waterloo | A decisive or final defeat or setback. | The company’s latest product launch proved to be its Waterloo. |
watermark | A faint design made in some paper during manufacture, visible when held to the light. | The official document had a distinctive watermark for authenticity. |
watermelon | A large, edible fruit with a hard green rind, sweet red pulp, and black seeds. | They enjoyed slices of juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. |
watershed | An area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas. | The mountain range formed a natural watershed for the region. |
waterspout | A whirling column of water and spray formed by a whirlwind occurring over water. | Sailors watched in awe as a waterspout formed on the horizon. |
waterway | A route for travel by water, such as a river, canal, or channel. | The ancient civilization relied on the waterway for trade. |
wattle | A material for making fences, walls, or roofs, consisting of a network of stakes and branches. | The ancient hut was constructed from wattle and daub. |
wave | A long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore. | They watched the powerful waves crash against the rocks. |
wavelength | The distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave. | The radio signal was transmitted on a specific wavelength. |
waver | An act or instance of wavering; a moment of indecision. | After some waver, she finally agreed to the proposal. |
wax | A sticky, yellowish, pliable substance secreted by honeybees as material for honeycomb. | The artist molded the wax into an intricate sculpture. |
way | A method, style, or manner of doing something; a route or direction. | He found a new way to solve the complex problem. |
wayfarer | A person who travels on foot. | The weary wayfarer sought shelter from the storm. |
waywardness | The quality or state of being difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior. | Her teenage waywardness worried her parents. |
weakness | The state or condition of being weak. | He felt a sudden weakness in his knees. |
wealth | An abundance of valuable possessions or money; a plentiful supply of a particular resource. | The country enjoyed immense wealth from its natural resources. |
weanling | A recently weaned animal, especially a mammal. | The weanling foal stayed close to its mother. |
weapon | A thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage. | The knight drew his sword, a formidable weapon. |
wear | Damage or deterioration resulting from use or long existence. | The old book showed signs of wear and tear. |
weariness | Fatigue; tiredness. | A deep weariness settled over her after the long journey. |
weasel | A small, slender carnivorous mammal related to stoats, with a short tail and reddish-brown fur. | The weasel darted quickly through the grass. |
weather | The state of the atmosphere at a place and time regarding heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc. | The unexpected good weather made their picnic perfect. |
weathercock | A weather vane in the form of a rooster. | The old weathercock on the barn roof spun with the wind. |
weatherfront | The boundary separating two masses of air of different densities. | The cold weatherfront brought a sudden drop in temperature. |
weatherman | A person who forecasts the weather; a meteorologist. | The weatherman predicted heavy snowfall for the weekend. |
weave | A particular style or method of weaving fabric. | The fabric had a tight, intricate weave. |
weaver | A person whose occupation is weaving cloth. | The skilled weaver created beautiful tapestries on her loom. |
web | A network of fine threads constructed by a spider; a complex system of interconnected elements. | The spider spun an intricate web between the branches. |
webcam | A video camera connected to a computer, allowing its images to be viewed over the internet. | They used a webcam to have a video call with their family. |
webinar | An online seminar or presentation held over the internet. | She attended a webinar on digital marketing strategies. |
webmaster | A person responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of a website. | The webmaster ensured the company’s site was always up-to-date. |
website | A set of related web pages served from a single web domain. | He spent hours browsing interesting articles on his favorite website. |
wedlock | The state of being married; marriage. | They decided to enter into wedlock after a long engagement. |
weed | A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. | She spent the afternoon pulling weeds from the garden bed. |
weeder | A tool or person that removes weeds. | She used a hand weeder to get rid of stubborn dandelions. |
week | A period of seven days. | They planned a vacation for next week. |
weekend | Saturday and Sunday, or the period from Friday evening to Sunday evening. | They looked forward to a relaxing weekend. |
weekly | A newspaper or magazine published once a week. | She subscribed to a popular weekly news magazine. |
weevil | A small beetle with a long snout, that feeds on plants. | The farmers had to protect their crops from the destructive weevil. |
weight | A body’s relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force. | He lifted the heavy weight with great effort. |
weightlifter | A person who lifts heavy weights as a sport or form of exercise. | The weightlifter achieved a new personal best. |
weightlessness | The state of having no weight. | The astronauts experienced weightlessness in space. |
weirdness | The quality or state of being weird. | Her sudden weirdness made everyone uncomfortable. |
welcome | An act of greeting someone; a hospitable reception. | They received a warm welcome from their hosts. |
welfare | The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group. | The government focused on improving the welfare of its citizens. |
well | A shaft sunk in the ground to obtain water, oil, or gas. | The villagers relied on the ancient well for their water supply. |
well-being | The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. | Regular exercise contributes to overall well-being. |
wellspring | An original and abundant source of something. | The forest was a wellspring of inspiration for the artist. |
welshman | A native or inhabitant of Wales. | The Welshman proudly wore his national rugby jersey. |
welsh rarebit | A dish of melted cheese, often mixed with ale or other seasonings, served on toast. | She ordered a traditional Welsh rarebit for lunch. |
welt | A red, swollen mark left on flesh by a blow or pressure. | The impact left a raised welt on his arm. |
welter | A confused jumble or mass. | The room was a welter of papers and books. |
wendigo | A mythical man-eating monster from Algonquian folklore. | The tale warned of the fearsome wendigo lurking in the forest. |
west | The compass point or direction opposite to east. | The sun sets in the west. |
wester | A wind blowing from the west. | A strong wester brought cooler air to the coast. |
western | A film, book, or story about cowboys in the American West. | He enjoyed watching classic Westerns on television. |
westerner | A native or inhabitant of the West, especially the Western world. | The Westerner was intrigued by the local customs. |
wet | A state of being covered or saturated with water or another liquid. | The morning dew left a wet on the grass. |
wetland | Land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated land. | The preserve protected a crucial wetland ecosystem. |
wetsuit | A garment, usually made of neoprene, worn by divers, surfers, or others for warmth. | The surfer zipped up his wetsuit before entering the cold water. |
whale | A very large marine mammal with a streamlined body and a blowhole on top of its head. | They watched a majestic whale breach in the ocean. |
whaler | A ship or person engaged in whaling. | The old whaler returned to port with its bounty. |
wharf | A level quay or landing place, typically built of wood or stone, by the side of a sea or river. | The fishing boats were moored along the wharf. |
whatnot | An unspecified thing or things. | They talked about politics, current events, and whatnot. |
wheat | A cereal grain that is the most important staple food in temperate countries. | The field of golden wheat swayed gently in the breeze. |
wheatear | A small, plump, insectivorous bird of the thrush family. | The wheatear perched on a rock, scanning for insects. |
wheedling | The act of coaxing or persuading someone by flattery. | Her constant wheedling eventually convinced him to agree. |
wheel | A circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move. | The car lost a wheel after hitting the pothole. |
wheelbarrow | A small handcart with a single wheel at the front and two handles at the back, used for carrying loads. | He pushed a wheelbarrow full of bricks across the yard. |
wheelchair | A chair fitted with wheels for use by a person who cannot walk. | The patient used a wheelchair to move around the hospital. |
wheelhouse | The enclosed structure on a ship, boat, or submarine, from which it is steered. | The captain stood in the wheelhouse, directing the vessel. |
wheeze | A whistling or rattling sound in the chest as a result of breathing difficulty. | The old man’s breath was accompanied by a continuous wheeze. |
whelk | A carnivorous marine mollusk with a spirally coiled shell. | He collected several empty whelk shells on the beach. |
whelp | A young dog or other carnivore. | The mother wolf protected her small whelp. |
when | The time at which something happens or is to happen. | The exact when of the event remains uncertain. |
whereabouts | The place where someone or something is. | Her exact whereabouts remained a mystery. |
whetstone | A fine-grained stone used for sharpening cutting tools. | He sharpened his knife on a smooth whetstone. |
whiff | A smell that is only smelled briefly or faintly. | She caught a whiff of freshly baked bread. |
whig | A member of the British political party active from the late 17th to mid-19th centuries. | The Whig party advocated for parliamentary supremacy. |
while | A period of time. | They waited a while for the rain to stop. |
whim | A sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained. | She bought the expensive dress on a whim. |
whimper | A low, feeble sound expressive of fear, pain, or discontent. | The puppy let out a soft whimper. |
whine | A long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound. | The dog let out a soft whine, wanting attention. |
whining | The action of making a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound. | His constant whining about chores annoyed everyone. |
whinny | A gentle, high-pitched neigh of a horse. | The horse greeted its owner with a soft whinny. |
whip | A strip of leather or length of cord fastened to a handle, used for flogging or driving animals. | The cowboy held a long leather whip. |
whipcord | Strong, closely woven cord or fabric, typically of cotton or wool, used for making trousers and riding clothes. | He wore trousers made of durable whipcord. |
whiplash | Injury to the neck caused by a sudden, forceful jerking of the head, typically as a result of a car accident. | He suffered whiplash after the rear-end collision. |
whippet | A dog of a breed that resembles a small greyhound. | The whippet gracefully chased the lure during the race. |
whipsaw | A saw with a thin blade and a handle at each end, used by two people. | The lumberjacks used a whipsaw to cut down the large tree. |
whirl | A rapid movement in a circle; a state of confusion or intense activity. | The dancer spun in a graceful whirl. |
whirligig | A toy that spins or whirls, such as a top or pinwheel; a complex, rapidly moving device or situation. | The child played with a colorful whirligig in the garden. |
whirlpool | A rapidly rotating mass of water in a river or sea, often causing a depression in the center. | The boat narrowly avoided the dangerous whirlpool. |
whirlwind | A column of rapidly rotating air formed within a storm or by convection. | The desert whirlwind stirred up a cloud of dust. |
whisker | A long, stiff hair growing from the snout or brows of an animal. | The cat twitched its whiskers, sensing danger. |
whiskey | A spirit distilled from malted grain, especially barley or rye. | He ordered a glass of aged whiskey on the rocks. |
whisper | A soft, low sound made by breathing out without the vibration of the vocal cords. | She spoke in a whisper so as not to wake the baby. |
whistle | A clear, high-pitched sound made by forcing breath through a small hole. | The referee blew his whistle to signal a foul. |
whistler | A person who whistles. | The happy whistler walked down the street. |
white | The color of fresh snow or milk; the lightest color. | She dressed in a crisp white for the summer party. |
whitecap | A small wave with a foamy white crest. | The strong winds created many whitecaps on the lake. |
whitefish | A type of freshwater fish, typically with pale scales. | The chef prepared a delicious dish of grilled whitefish. |
whiteness | The state or quality of being white. | The whiteness of the fresh snow was blinding. |
whitetail | A deer, typically a white-tailed deer, common in North America. | The hunter spotted a large whitetail in the forest. |
whitewash | A solution of lime and water, used for whitening walls or surfaces; a deliberate concealment of mistakes. | The scandal was a complete whitewash, covering up all the dirty details. |
whither | To what place or state. | She wondered about the whither of her future. |
whiting | A type of small marine fish related to cod; a white pigment used in paint. | The fisherman caught a small whiting for dinner. |
whiz | A person who is extremely clever or skillful at something. | She was a whiz at mathematics. |
whodunit | A detective story or mystery novel. | The audience loved trying to solve the whodunit before the detective did. |
whole | A thing that is complete in itself. | He presented the report as a whole, without omitting any parts. |
wholeness | The state of being complete and unbroken; soundness. | She found a sense of wholeness after resolving her conflicts. |
wholesaler | A person or company that sells goods in large quantities at low prices to retailers. | The small boutique purchased its inventory from a local wholesaler. |
whop | A heavy blow. | He gave the ball a mighty whop. |
whopper | A thing that is unusually large or impressive; a blatant lie. | He told a whopper about catching a fish as big as a car. |
whore | A prostitute. | The term “whore” is an offensive and derogatory word for a prostitute. |
whorehouse | A brothel. | The outlaw sought refuge in the whorehouse. |
whorl | A spiral or coil. | The seashell had a beautiful whorl pattern. |
why | A reason or explanation. | The why of her sudden departure remained a mystery. |
wick | A strip of combustible material, typically cotton, that draws up oil or wax to be burned. | The candle’s wick needed to be trimmed before lighting. |
wicket | A small gate or door, especially one forming part of a larger one; in cricket, a set of three stumps with two bails. | The cricket match ended with the fall of the last wicket. |
widow | A woman who has lost her husband by death and has not remarried. | The widow found strength in her community after her loss. |
widower | A man who has lost his wife by death and has not remarried. | The widower struggled to adjust to life without his wife. |
width | The measurement or extent of something from side to side. | The width of the river was impressive. |
wife | A married woman considered in relation to her husband. | His wife supported him through every challenge. |
wig | A covering for the head made of artificial or real hair, typically worn by judges or for disguise or adornment. | The actress wore a elaborate wig for her role. |
wigeon | A dabbling duck with a small bill, found in Eurasia and North America. | The wigeon paddled calmly on the pond. |
wigging | A severe reprimand or scolding. | He received a stern wigging from his boss for being late. |
wigwam | A dome-shaped hut or tent made by fastening mats, skins, or bark over a framework of poles. | The Native American family lived in a traditional wigwam. |
wild | An uncivilized or natural state. | The animals thrived in the wild, untouched by humans. |
wildcard | A playing card that can be used to represent any other card; a person or thing whose influence is unpredictable. | The new player was a wildcard, capable of surprising everyone. |
wildcat | A wild animal of the cat family; an oil well drilled in an unproven area. | The wildcat stealthily stalked its prey in the dense forest. |
wilderness | An uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region. | They embarked on an expedition into the remote wilderness. |
wildfire | A large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush. | The dry conditions led to a massive wildfire across the region. |
wildfowl | Wild birds hunted for sport or food, especially waterfowl. | Hunters sought various wildfowl during the open season. |
wildlife | Wild animals collectively; the fauna of a region. | The national park was home to diverse wildlife. |
wildness | The quality or state of being wild, untamed, or unruly. | The untamed wildness of the landscape was breathtaking. |
wile | A cunning trick or stratagem intended to deceive or entrap. | She used her feminine wiles to get what she wanted. |
will | The faculty by which a person decides on and initiates courses of action; a legal document declaring a person’s wishes. | He demonstrated a strong will to succeed. |
willingness | The quality or state of being prepared to do something; readiness. | Her willingness to help was greatly appreciated. |
willow | A tree or shrub of temperate climates, typically having narrow leaves, catkins, and tough, pliable twigs. | A weeping willow stood gracefully by the riverbank. |
wilt | A plant disease that causes wilting; the act of wilting. | The sudden heat caused a dramatic wilt in the garden plants. |
wimp | A weak and cowardly person. | Don’t be such a wimp; face your fears. |
wimpiness | The quality or state of being a wimp; feebleness. | His wimpiness prevented him from trying new things. |
win | A success or victory in a game, contest, or dispute. | The team celebrated their hard-fought win. |
wince | A slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body. | He tried to hide a wince of pain from the injury. |
wind | The perceptible natural movement of air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction. | A strong wind rattled the windows. |
windage | The effect of wind on a moving object, especially a bullet or arrow. | The archer had to account for windage when aiming. |
windbag | A person who talks at length without saying anything significant. | He was known as a windbag, always dominating conversations with trivialities. |
windbreak | A row of trees or a fence, wall, or screen that provides protection from the wind. | They planted a line of tall trees to create a windbreak. |
windcheater | A wind-resistant jacket or coat. | He wore a lightweight windcheater for his morning run. |
winder | A device or person that winds something. | He used an automatic winder for his collection of watches. |
windfall | A piece of unexpected good fortune, typically one involving money. | She received a tax refund as an unexpected windfall. |
windflower | A flower of the genus Anemone. | The delicate windflower bloomed early in spring. |
windlass | A winch, especially one on a ship, used for raising and lowering the anchor. | The crew operated the windlass to hoist the anchor. |
windmill | A building with sails or vanes that turn in the wind and generate power. | The old windmill stood majestically on the hill. |
window | An opening in the wall or roof of a building that is fitted with glass or other transparent material in a frame to admit light or air and allow people to see out. | She looked out the window at the falling snow. |
windowpane | A pane of glass in a window. | The bird pecked at the windowpane. |
windpipe | The trachea, the passage from the larynx to the lungs. | Food accidentally went down his windpipe, causing him to cough. |
windscreen | The front window of a car or other vehicle. | A crack appeared in the car’s windscreen after a stone hit it. |
windshield | The front window of a car or other vehicle. | The driver cleared the frost from the windshield. |
windsock | A light, conical canvas bag open at both ends, mounted on a mast and used for showing wind direction and approximate strength. | The pilot checked the windsock before takeoff. |
windstorm | A storm with high winds and little or no rain. | The windstorm uprooted several trees in the neighborhood. |
windsurf | The sport of sailing on water on a board with a sail attached. | She loved the thrill of a good windsurf on the lake. |
windsurfer | A person who windsurfs. | The agile windsurfer glided effortlessly across the waves. |
windup | The final part of an action or event; the initial movements of a pitcher before throwing a baseball. | The meeting concluded with a quick windup of key points. |
windward | The side or direction from which the wind is blowing. | The ship sailed to the windward side of the island. |
wine | An alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice. | They celebrated with a glass of fine red wine. |
wineglass | A glass from which wine is drunk. | She raised her wineglass for a toast. |
winery | A place where wine is made. | The winery offered tours and tastings of their award-winning wines. |
wing | A limb or appendage of a bird, insect, or bat, adapted for flight; a part of a building extending from a central main part. | The bird spread its wings and soared into the sky. |
wingback | A high-backed armchair with side pieces projecting forwards from the back. | He relaxed in the comfortable wingback chair by the fireplace. |
wingman | A pilot who flies behind and to the side of the lead aircraft; a friend who supports another person, especially in dating. | He acted as his friend’s wingman at the party. |
wingspan | The full extent of the wings of a bird or other winged creature from tip to tip. | The eagle had an impressive wingspan. |
wink | An act of winking, typically as a signal or gesture. | He gave her a quick wink across the room. |
winker | A person or thing that winks; a blinker light on a vehicle. | The car’s winker indicated its intention to turn left. |
winner | A person or thing that wins something. | The lottery winner celebrated their good fortune. |
winning | Success in a contest or game; something won. | The team’s winning streak continued for ten games. |
winnowing | The act of separating grain from chaff; the process of separating desirable from undesirable elements. | The committee began the winnowing process to select the best candidates. |
winter | The coldest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August. | She loved the quiet beauty of winter. |
wintergreen | An evergreen plant with aromatic leaves and red berries, from which an oil is extracted. | The scent of wintergreen filled the air. |
wipe | An act of wiping something; a small piece of moist cloth or paper. | He gave the table a quick wipe. |
wipeout | A spectacular fall from a surfboard; a complete destruction or failure. | The surfer suffered a massive wipeout on the big wave. |
wire | A thin, flexible strand of metal, typically used to conduct electricity or to make fences. | The electrician connected the loose wire. |
wireframe | A skeletal three-dimensional model used in computer graphics; a basic visual guide for a website. | The designer started with a simple wireframe for the new app. |
wireless | Radio communication; a radio. | He listened to the news on his old wireless. |
wisdom | The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise. | Her wisdom guided her through difficult decisions. |
wiseacre | A person who pretends to be knowledgeable or clever in an irritating way. | He was a tiresome wiseacre, always correcting everyone. |
wiseness | The quality or state of being wise. | Her actions reflected her deep wiseness and understanding. |
wish | A desire or hope for something to happen. | She made a wish upon a falling star. |
wisp | A small thin streak or strand of something. | A wisp of smoke curled from the chimney. |
wisteria | A climbing woody vine of the pea family, bearing long, drooping clusters of fragrant flowers. | The wisteria cascaded beautifully over the pergola. |
wit | The capacity for inventive thought and lively expression; clever humor. | His quick wit made him popular at parties. |
witch | A woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones. | The old witch lived in a cottage deep in the forest. |
witchcraft | The practice of magic, especially evil magic. | She was accused of practicing witchcraft. |
witch-hunt | A search for and persecution of people accused of witchcraft; a campaign against a particular group of people. | The political witch-hunt targeted anyone who disagreed with the ruling party. |
withdrawal | The action of taking money out of an account; the process of ceasing to use an addictive drug. | He made a large withdrawal from his savings account. |
withe | A tough, flexible branch or twig, especially of willow, used for tying or weaving. | He used a strong withe to tie the bundle of firewood. |
withers | The highest part of a horse’s back, at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades. | He measured the horse’s height to the withers. |
witness | A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place. | The police interviewed the sole witness to the incident. |
witticism | A witty remark. | He delighted the crowd with his clever witticism. |
wives | Plural of wife. | The wives gathered for their weekly book club meeting. |
wizard | A man who has magical powers, especially in legends and fairy tales. | The old wizard cast a powerful spell to protect the kingdom. |
wizardry | The art or practice of magic; impressive skill in a particular area. | His wizardry with numbers was legendary. |
wobble | An unsteady movement from side to side; a slight tremor. | The table had a slight wobble, making it unstable. |
wobbler | A person or thing that wobbles. | The toy’s head was a wobbler, always moving. |
woefulness | The state or quality of being woeful; great sadness or misery. | The woefulness in her eyes reflected her deep sorrow. |
wolf | A wild carnivorous mammal of the dog family, typically larger than most dogs, living and hunting in packs. | The lone wolf howled at the full moon. |
wolfhound | A dog of a large breed originally used for hunting wolves. | The majestic Irish wolfhound stood tall and proud. |
wolfram | The chemical element tungsten. | Wolfram is another name for tungsten, a heavy, hard, silvery-white metal. |
wolverine | A heavily built carnivorous mammal of the weasel family, found in northern forests. | The fierce wolverine defended its territory aggressively. |
woman | An adult female human being. | The wise woman offered sound advice. |
womankind | Women regarded collectively. | He believed in the advancement of womankind. |
womb | The uterus, where offspring are conceived and gestate before birth. | The baby grew safely within the mother’s womb. |
wombat | A burrowing marsupial native to Australia, with a short, stubby tail and a backward-facing pouch. | The sleepy wombat slowly ambled across the grass. |
wonder | A feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, or inexplicable. | The ancient ruins filled her with wonder. |
wonderment | A state of awed admiration or wonder. | The children gazed at the fireworks in utter wonderment. |
wont | One’s customary behavior in a particular situation. | He rose at dawn, as was his wont. |
wooer | A man who woos a woman. | The persistent wooer finally won her affection. |
woof | The deep, characteristic bark of a dog. | The large dog let out a powerful woof. |
woofer | A loudspeaker designed to reproduce low frequency sounds. | The music’s bass was booming from the large woofer. |
wool | The fine, soft curly hair forming the fleece of a sheep or similar animal. | She knitted a warm sweater from soft wool. |
woolgathering | Indulgence in aimless thought or daydreaming. | He was prone to woolgathering during long meetings. |
woolliness | The quality or state of being woolly; indistinctness or vagueness. | The woolliness of his explanation left everyone confused. |
woolpack | A large bale of wool. | The merchant transported several woolpacks to the market. |
word | A single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed. | She spoke every word carefully. |
wordbook | A dictionary or vocabulary book. | He consulted his wordbook to find the definition. |
wordiness | The use of too many words; verbosity. | The editor advised him to reduce the wordiness in his report. |
wording | The choice and meaning of the words used; the way in which something is expressed. | The precise wording of the contract was crucial. |
wordplay | The witty exploitation of the meanings and ambiguities of words; punning. | His speech was full of clever wordplay and puns. |
work | Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. | She found great satisfaction in her work. |
workbook | A book containing questions and exercises for students to complete. | The students used their math workbook to practice problems. |
worker | A person who works, especially one who does a particular type of work or who is employed in a particular industry. | The factory hired many skilled workers. |
workforce | All the people working or available to work, as in a country or company. | The company aimed to expand its diverse workforce. |
workhorse | A horse used for work; a person or machine that works tirelessly at a task. | The old tractor was a reliable workhorse on the farm. |