Words Starting with "P"

P. G. Wodehouse refers to the English-born author Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1881–1975), famed for his light comic novels and Jeeves and Wooster. In pronunciation, the initials “P. G.” are said as letters, followed by the surname Wodehouse. The full name is often pronounced with emphasis on the surname, producing a clear, recognizable English intonation. The name's sound is distinctive for non-native listeners due to the combination of initials, soft “w” onset, and the final “house” pronunciation.

P.H.D. (often articulated letter-by-letter as P-H-D) is a coined verb used in academic and professional contexts to describe the act of earning or pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree, or more generally to indicate someone is engaged in advanced scholarly work. In casual use, it can imply achieving credential-level expertise or conducting high-level research. Usage tends to be formal or semi-formal and may be found in résumés, academic discussions, or job descriptions.

PNG (as a verb) is specialized jargon used in certain technical or hobbyist communities to describe the action of creating, exporting, or converting data into the Portable Network Graphics format, or more broadly to indicate saving or exporting a file as PNG. It is a rare, context-specific verb whose use is typically limited to digital imaging workflows and software documentation. In standard general usage, PNG is primarily recognized as a file extension rather than a verb.

Pablo Neruda is a renowned Chilean poet and Nobel laureate whose name blends a common Spanish given name with a surname of Basque origin. Used as a proper noun, it denotes the individual poet known for his lyrical odes and political verse. In pronunciation, it adheres to Spanish phonology, with stress typically on the second syllable of Pablo and a light, rolled or tap R in Neruda depending on the speaker.

Pablo Picasso is a celebrated Spanish painter and sculptor whose name is widely recognized in art history. The two-part name is often pronounced with attention to Spanish phonetics, separating the given name from the surname. This guide provides precise pronunciation details to help you articulate his full name clearly in English contexts.

Pace is a noun that refers to the speed at which someone or something moves, acts, or progresses. It can denote the tempo of activities, speech, or processes, and can also describe a measured rate or rate of movement. In context, pace often conveys tempo, rhythm, and the rate of action within a given situation.

Pachyderm is a noun referring to thick-skinned animals, especially elephants and rhinoceroses. In modern usage it’s often used humorously or in zoological contexts to denote large, heavy-skinned mammals. The term comes from early anatomical descriptions and is now more a historical/classical label than a precise taxonomic group.

Pachymetry is a medical term referring to the measurement of tissue thickness, especially in ophthalmology for corneal thickness. It denotes the procedure or result of determining how thick a tissue layer is, providing quantitative data to Guide diagnosis and treatment planning. The term combines Greek roots and is used in specialized clinical contexts rather than everyday speech.

Pachytene is a stage of prophase I in meiosis, characterized by paired homologous chromosomes with crossing over; it marks a phase of intensified chromosomal condensation and recombination. The term is used in cellular biology, genetics, and cytology to describe this specific stage during gamete formation. It’s a specialized, technical noun often encountered in academic writing and biology discussions.

Pacific is a noun referring to the world’s largest ocean, named for its peaceful, calm characteristics. It also appears in geopolitical terms (as in the Pacific Rim) and can refer to any entity named after the ocean. The term carries strong geographic and cultural associations with west-to-east maritime regions. Pronunciation centers on a stressed second syllable in many uses, with clear, rounded vowel sounds.

A pacifier (US) or a soothing device used to comfort infants by giving a nipple-like teat to suck on, typically made of silicone or rubber and attached to a handle. It serves to calm babies and may help reduce feeding or sleep disruptions. The term also refers to a person or thing that pacifies or soothes, sometimes in a figurative sense.

Pacinian is an adjective relating to the Pacinian corpuscles—pressure sensors in the skin and other tissues. In anatomy or physiology, it describes structures or responses associated with these tactile receptors. The term is used mainly in medical or scientific contexts to denote features connected to this receptor system.

Pacioli is a proper noun, primarily referring to the Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli. It denotes a surname or eponym in academic contexts. In usage, it often appears in historical or scholarly discussions about accounting, geometry, and the Italian Renaissance, sometimes as part of titles or biographical references. Proper pronunciation helps distinguish it from similar-sounding terms in academic discourse.

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug derived from the Pacific yew tree, used to treat various cancers by stabilizing microtubules and inhibiting cell division. It is a complex, widely prescribed pharmaceutical with a distinctive, multi-syllabic name. In medical contexts, its pronunciation should be precise to ensure clear communication among clinicians and patients alike.

Paco Rabanne is a French fashion house and perfume brand founded by Spanish-born designer Francisco Rabènne. The name combines the given name Paco with the surname Rabanne, reflecting the founder’s identity and brand heritage. In speech, it is pronounced with attention to the Spanish-origin first name and the French surname, yielding a blended, international brand pronunciation.

Pacta Sunt Servanda is a Latin phrase meaning “agreements must be kept.” It is used in international law to indicate that treaties and covenants obligate the parties that ratified them. As a proper noun in legal contexts, it denotes the principle rather than a single document, and it is treated as a fixed, formal expression in multilingual discourse.

Paczki are dense, usually fried dough pastries filled with jam or cream, popular in Polish cuisine and traditionally eaten on Fat Thursday. The term also refers to the pastries themselves, not a specific brand. In general usage, you’ll encounter plural form more often, but the singular is paczek.

Paddle (noun) refers to a short, flat-ended implement used for propelling a boat through water or for stirring, mixing, or turning substances. It can also denote a light, flat hand tool used for spanking or a playful cue in games. The term emphasizes the tool’s broad blade and manual action, distinguishing it from oars or paddles with handles.

Paddock is a fenced or enclosed piece of land, typically used for housing horses or other animals. It can also refer to a small field attached to a rural estate or farm. The term emphasizes a contained, manageable area distinct from fields or pastures, often with gates or rails.

Pademelon is a small to mid-sized marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea, resembling a tiny wallaby. It typically inhabits forested and scrubby habitats and moves with a hopping trot. The term refers to several species within the genus Thylogale, with a diet mainly of grasses and shrubs.

Padraic is a male given name of Irish origin, commonly anglicized as Patrick. It is pronounced with an initial stressed syllable and a soft, palatalized “d” before the final “rick” syllable, yielding a melodic cadence. In usage, it appears in formal and casual contexts, often as a personal identifier or in literature and media referencing Irish heritage.

Paducah is a proper noun referring to a city in western Kentucky, United States. It is pronounced as a two-syllable name, with emphasis on the first syllable, and is commonly used in American English contexts when discussing geography, culture, or local events.

Paean is a noun meaning a fervent expression of praise or a song or poem of triumph, often dedicated to a deity or a person. In modern use it can refer to any enthusiastic tribute or praise. It can also denote a celebratory or ceremonial composition performed in gratitude or admiration.

Paediatric is an adjective relating to the medical care and treatment of children. In British English it often refers to the field of pediatrics, encompassing clinical practice, research, and education about childhood health. The term presents as paediatric within many English-speaking regions and is commonly paired with nouns like practice, medicine, and ward.