VERB If you defer something, you put off doing it until later.
defiant
ADJECTIVE If you are defiant, you behave in a way that shows you are not willing to obey someone.
defiance NOUN defiantly ADVERB
deficient
ADJECTIVE lacking in something
deficiency NOUN
define defines, defining, defined
VERB If you define something, you say what it is or what it means.
definite
ADJECTIVE 1 clear and unlikely to be changed • We must arrange a definite date for the party.
2 true rather than being someone’s guess or opinion
definitely
ADVERB OR EXCLAMATION certainly; without doubt • I am definitely going on holiday next week.
definition definitions
NOUN a statement explaining the meaning of a word or an idea
deflate deflates, deflating, deflated
VERB If you deflate something, such as a tyre or balloon, you let all the air or gas out of it.
ANTONYMS: inflate, blow up
deforestation
NOUN the cutting down or the destruction of all the trees in an area
deformed
ADJECTIVE disfigured or abnormally shaped
defrost defrosts, defrosting, defrosted
VERB 1 If you defrost frozen food, you let it thaw out.
2 If you defrost a freezer or refrigerator, you remove the ice from it.
defuse defuses, defusing, defused
VERB 1 If someone defuses a bomb, they remove its fuse or detonator so that it cannot explode.
2 If you defuse a dangerous or tense situation, you make it less dangerous or tense.
defy defies, defying, defied
VERB If you defy a person or a law, you openly refuse to obey.
degree degrees
NOUN 1 a unit of measurement for temperatures, angles, and longitude and latitude, written as ° after a number • The temperature was 20 °C. • A right angle is a ninety-degree angle.
2 an amount of a feeling or quality • As captain you have a high degree of responsibility.
3 a university qualification gained after completing a course of study there
dehydrated
ADJECTIVE If someone is dehydrated, they are weak or ill because they have lost too much water from their body.
deity deities
NOUN a god or goddess
dejected
ADJECTIVE If you are dejected, you are sad and gloomy.
dejection NOUN
delay delays, delaying, delayed
VERB 1 If you delay doing something, you put it off until later.
SYNONYM: postpone
2 If something delays you, it makes you late or slows you down.
NOUN 3 If there is a delay, something does not happen until later than planned or expected.
delete deletes, deleting, deleted
VERB If you delete something written, you cross it out or remove it.
deliberate
ADJECTIVE 1 done on purpose or planned in advance
2 slow and careful in speech and action • deliberate movements
deliberately ADVERB
delicate
ADJECTIVE 1 light and attractive • a delicate perfume
2 fragile and needing to be handled carefully • a delicate china cup
3 precise or sensitive • delicate instruments
delicately ADVERB
delicatessen delicatessens
NOUN a shop selling unusual or imported foods
delicious
ADJECTIVE Delicious food or drink has an extremely pleasant taste.
SYNONYMS: delectable, scrumptious
delight delights, delighting, delighted
NOUN 1 great pleasure or joy
VERB 2 If something delights you, or if you are delighted by it, it gives you a lot of pleasure.
delighted ADJECTIVE
delinquent delinquents
NOUN a young person who commits minor crimes
delinquency NOUN
delirious
ADJECTIVE 1 unable to speak or act in a rational way because of illness or fever
2 wildly excited and happy
deliriously ADVERB
deliver delivers, delivering, delivered
VERB 1 If you deliver something to someone, you take it and give it to them.
2 If someone delivers a baby, they help the woman who is giving birth.
delta deltas
NOUN a triangular piece of land at the mouth of a river where it divides into separate streams
deluge deluges
NOUN a sudden, heavy downpour of rain
demand demands, demanding, demanded
