English Meanings & Definitions

English Dictionary offers meanings and definitions of English words. It is a part of Language Networking, a social and educational initiative by KHANDBAHALE.COM, and is free and open to all for non-commercial use. It is recognised as an accurate and authentic language resource by scholars and experts and can also be downloaded as software and apps for multiple devices for online and offline use.

About the English Language

English is a Germanic language that originated in England and is now spoken by over 1.5 billion people around the world. It is the most widely spoken language in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and it is also an official language in many other countries. English has a rich and complex history, having evolved from the Germanic language spoken by the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes who invaded Britain in the 5th century AD. Over time, it has been influenced by Latin, French, and other languages, resulting in the diverse vocabulary and grammar we see today. English literature has a long and illustrious history, dating back to the Old English epic poem "Beowulf" written around the 9th century. In the centuries that followed, English literature has produced many famous writers such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens. The 20th century saw the emergence of new literary forms such as modernism, which has produced writers such as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and T. S. Eliot. The English language has also played a significant role in science, technology, and business, making it a language of international communication and commerce. English has become the most widely taught foreign language in the world, and it is often used as a common language in international business and scientific research. The English language is known for its complexity and irregularities, which can make it challenging to learn, but it also has a rich and diverse vocabulary and grammar. English also has a variety of dialects, with differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar that vary by region. In conclusion, English is a fascinating and rich language that has played a significant role in shaping the culture and history of the world. It is a language of international communication and commerce, and it has a rich literary tradition. Its complexity can make it challenging to learn, but it also provides a wealth of opportunities for communication and cultural understanding.

Spoken In : US (57.3%), UK (16.3%), Canada (4.9%), Australia (4.1%), Nigeria (1.1%), Ireland (1%), South Africa (1%), New Zealand (1%), Philippines (1%) & Other (12.3%)

Native Speakers: 1.8 billion (2004).

Language family: Indo-European > Germanic > West Germanic > Anglo–Frisian > Anglic > English

Writing system: English alphabet (Latin script)

Official language in: 54 countries , 27 non-sovereign entities, United Nations, European Union, Commonwealth of Nations, Council of Europe, IOC, NATO, NAFTA, OAS, OECD, OIC, PIF, UKUSA Agreement

Regulated by:

Language codes: en (ISO 639-1), eng (ISO 639-2, ISO 639-3)

Historically, English originated from the fusion of closely related dialects, now collectively termed Old English, which were brought to the eastern coast of Great Britain by Germanic (Anglo-Saxon) settlers by the 5th century – with the word English being derived from the name of the Angles, and ultimately from their ancestral region of Angeln (in what is now Schleswig-Holstein). A significant number of English words are constructed based on roots from Latin, because Latin in some form was the lingua franca of the Christian Church and of European intellectual life. The language was further influenced by the Old Norse language due to Viking invasions in the 8th and 9th centuries.

English Typing / Type in English

English Speaking / Listening

English Language References

Following are some of the major recommended resources for English language.
  • "A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language" by Randolph Quirk, Sydney Greenbaum, Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik - This is a comprehensive and detailed reference on the grammar of the English language.
  • "The Oxford English Dictionary" - This is the most comprehensive and respected English language dictionary, providing detailed definitions and etymology for words in the English language.
  • "An Introduction to the English Language" by John Lyons - This is a comprehensive introduction to the English language, including its history, structure, and usage.
  • "The Cambridge History of the English Language" - This is a comprehensive history of the English language, covering its development from its Germanic origins to the present day.
  • "The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language" by Rodney Huddleston and Geoffrey K. Pullum - This is a comprehensive reference on the grammar of the English language, providing a detailed analysis of its structure and usage.
  • "A History of the English Language" by Albert C. Baugh and Thomas Cable - This is a comprehensive history of the English language, covering its development from its Germanic origins to the present day.
  • "The English Language: A Linguistic History" by John Lyons - This is an overview of the linguistic history of the English language, including its development, structure, and usage.
  • "A History of English" by Robert McCrum, William Cran and Robert MacNeil - This is a history of the English language, covering its development from its Germanic origins to the present day.
  • "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language" by David Crystal - This is a comprehensive reference on the English language, providing an overview of its history, structure, and usage.
  • "The Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English" by Douglas Biber, Stig Johansson, Geoffrey Leech, Susan Conrad, and Edward Finegan - This is a comprehensive reference on the grammar of spoken and written English, providing a detailed analysis of its structure and usage.
  • US Government usa.gov
  • UK Government www.direct.gov.uk/
  • English Adjective – Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
  • Wikipedia : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language
  • English – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-webster.
  • "U.S. English, Inc". Us-english.org.
  • "Microsoft Word – SPECIAL NOTE Europeans and languagesEN 20050922.doc" (PDF). 21 April 2010.
  • "Linguistics Research Center Texas University". Utexas.edu. 20 February 2009. 21 April 2010.
  • "UN official languages". UN.org
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