Words Starting with "R"

Racist is an adjective describing belief, behavior, or systems that assert the superiority of one race over others or discriminate based on race. It is often used to label views or actions that express prejudice or endorse unequal treatment. The term can apply to individuals, groups, policies, or attitudes, ranging from overt hostility to implicit bias.

Raclette is a French cheese-based dish typically melted over heat and scraped onto accompanying potatoes, bread, or vegetables. The term also refers to the cheese itself and to the dining style in which diners melt the cheese at the table. It is commonly associated with Alpine regions and traditional European cheese shops and restaurants.

A raconteur is a skilled storyteller, typically a person who tells engaging, humorous, or vivid anecdotes. The term emphasizes narrative flair and the ability to captivate an audience through well-timed detail and delivery, rather than merely recounting events. In usage, it often denotes a practiced, seasoned storyteller in social or literary contexts.

Raconteurs (noun) are people who tell anecdotes entertainingly or with skill; skilled storytellers. The term emphasizes a knack for recalling and delivering engaging, often humorous, stories. It suggests a social role in group conversation, highlighting performance as well as memory and wit.

Racoon is a noun referring to a small, nocturnal mammal of North America, typically characterized by a masked face and ringed tail. It is commonly spelled raccoon, though racoon is a common misspelling. In usage, it can denote the animal itself or, in playful contexts, be part of nicknames or colloquial references. The pronunciation given reflects a two-syllable pattern with emphasis on the second syllable.

Racquel is a feminine given name (noun). It denotes a personal identifier and is typically used to address a woman named Racquel. The pronunciation tends to be two syllables, with emphasis on the first, and the final vowel often realized as a soft schwa or reduced vowel in many varieties.

Racquet is a handheld sports implement used to strike a ball or shuttlecock in racquet sports. It typically features a framed head with strings or a solid surface and a handle, designed for swift, controlled swings. The term also covers the sport itself when referred to by name in various contexts.

Radar is a two-syllable noun pronounced with stress on the first syllable: /ˈreɪ.dɑːr/ in US and UK usage, though rhotic varieties can influence the final vowel. It refers to a system that detects objects at a distance using radio waves, commonly used in aviation and weather monitoring. In everyday speech, it also serves as a metaphor for vigilance or proximity awareness.

Radcliffe is a proper noun typically used as a surname or place name. It refers to a family name with English origins and can denote a person (e.g., a notable individual) or a location named Radcliffe. The pronunciation emphasizes two syllables with stressed first syllable, followed by a lighter second syllable. It is used in formal and informal contexts, particularly in academic, historical, and biographical references.

Radeon is a brand-name noun, typically referring to AMD's line of graphics hardware and, by extension, to graphics processing units and related technologies. It’s pronounced as a two-syllable proper noun, often treated with stress on the first syllable in technical contexts. The term has become common in tech discourse and gaming media when mentioning AMD Radeon GPUs and drivers.

Radha is a female proper noun of Indian origin, most famously the beloved goddess in Hindu tradition and a central figure in devotion and literature. It denotes affection, divine love, and spiritual devotion, often used as a given name in South Asian communities. The term carries religious and cultural resonance beyond its use as a personal name.

Radial is an adjective describing something related to or arranged like a ray or radiating from a common center, such as a radial spoke pattern or a radial artery. It is commonly used in geometry, biology, and engineering contexts to indicate linear, outward directions from a central point. The term emphasizes radial symmetry, distance from the center, or directionality aligned with spokes or rays.

Radiant is an adjective meaning emitting light or warmth; shining brightly or clearly. It often describes a person’s appearance or a scene filled with vivid, glowing brightness. The term conveys a strong, positive impression, suggesting vivid, wholesome illumination rather than mere brightness.

Radiation is the emission of energy as waves or particles, typically from a radioactive source or a high-energy process. It can also describe the distribution of light, heat, or other forms of energy from a central point. The term is used in science, medicine, and environmental contexts to discuss exposure, dose, and consequences.

Radiator (noun) refers to a device that emits heat from a hot liquid or gas, typically part of a heating system. It can also describe a device that radiates energy such as heat or light. In everyday usage, it denotes the unit that warms a room, usually consisting of metal fins and pipes. It’s pronounced with a distinct two-syllable rhythm and stress on the first syllable.

Radical is an adjective meaning very different from what is traditional or ordinary; extreme in effect or degree. It conveys a sense of fundamental change or departure from the norm, often in ideas, methods, or policies. In everyday usage, it can describe bold approaches, dramatic reforms, or intensely innovative concepts.

Radicchio is a crisp, bitter Italian leafy vegetable used in salads and cooked dishes. It has a compact, reddish-purple head with white veins and a peppery, slightly bitter flavor that mellows when grilled or sautéed. The term refers both to the plant and its characteristic bitter-tirming varieties often used for color and texture in cuisine.

Radiculopathy is a medical condition caused by compression or irritation of a spinal nerve root, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness along the path of the affected nerve. It typically affects the arms or legs and can result from herniated discs, degenerative changes, or spinal stenosis. The term emphasizes a nerve-root origin rather than a peripheral nerve disorder.

Radii is the plural of radius, referring to the straight-line distance from the center to a point on a circle or sphere, or to a chain of such lines in multiple shapes. It can also denote a set of concentric lines or curves in mathematical diagrams. In biology or anatomy, radii can specify forearm bones in plural form. The term appears in mathematics, geometry, and related disciplines, typically used in formal or technical contexts.

Radiography is the process or science of producing radiographic images, especially X-rays, for diagnostic purposes. It involves capturing images of internal structures by exposing a part of the body to controlled radiation and recording the resulting patterns. The term also refers to the field or practice of obtaining these images in clinical settings.

Radiologic is an adjective describing anything related to radiology, the medical imaging science and practice. It pertains to imaging techniques (like X-ray, CT, MRI) and the interpretation of those images. The term is used in clinical, academic, and diagnostic contexts to specify radiology-related aspects or findings.

Radiopaque is an adjective describing substances that do not allow X-rays to pass through easily, appearing light on radiographic images. It typically refers to materials or tissues that are resistant to X-ray attenuation, helping to distinguish structures. The term combines radiography and opacity, signaling visibility under imaging techniques.

Radish is a root vegetable with a crisp texture and a peppery, tangy flavor. In everyday use, it refers to the plant’s edible taproot, often sliced in salads or used as a garnish. The term can also describe a plant or root-based ingredient in recipes and gardening contexts.

Radius is a noun meaning a line segment from the center of a circle or sphere to any point on its circumference, or the corresponding distance. It also appears in anatomy as a forearm bone. The term encompasses geometric, mathematical, and anatomical senses, and is used in contexts ranging from geometry proofs to medical descriptions.